JP2012058868A

JP2012058868A - Input member

Info

Publication number: JP2012058868A
Application number: JP2010199499A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Kazufusa Yokoyama; 和房横山; Hideki Hanamura; 英樹花村
Original assignee: Shin Etsu Polymer Co Ltd; Shin Etsu Chemical Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shin Etsu Polymer Co Ltd; Shin Etsu Chemical Co Ltd
Priority date: 2010-09-07
Filing date: 2010-09-07
Publication date: 2012-03-22
Anticipated expiration: 2030-09-07
Also published as: JP5541793B2

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input member that is easily detected by a capacitance type touch panel and is capable of indicating a desired place easily.SOLUTION: An input member 1 includes a touching part 5 for touching a surface of a capacitance type touch panel of input device, and the touching part 5 has a hollow shape with a void part 6. When touching the capacitance type touch panel at a pressure equal to or greater than a predetermined pressure, the input member 1 deforms elastically so as to increase the touching area.

Description

本発明は、電子機器用の入力用部材に関する。 The present invention relates to an input member for an electronic device.

従来から、携帯電話および携帯情報端末装置（ＰＤＡ）等の電子機器の操作部に静電容量式タッチパネルが用いられている。図１０は、従来から知られる静電容量式タッチパネル５０の構造を示す概略図である。静電容量式タッチパネル５０は、操作面側から順に、保護層５１、導電膜層５２および補強層５３を積層して成る。このような構造により、静電容量式パネル５０では、ユーザの指等の導体５４が静電容量式タッチパネル５０に触れた際に生じる静電容量の変化を、導電膜層５２の四隅に配置された検出電極５５により検出することで、導体５４が触れた位置を検出できる（たとえば、特許文献１を参照）。 Conventionally, a capacitive touch panel has been used in an operation unit of an electronic device such as a mobile phone and a personal digital assistant (PDA). FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a conventionally known capacitive touch panel 50. The capacitive touch panel 50 is formed by laminating a protective layer 51, a conductive film layer 52, and a reinforcing layer 53 in order from the operation surface side. With such a structure, in the capacitive panel 50, changes in capacitance that occur when a conductor 54 such as a user's finger touches the capacitive touch panel 50 are arranged at the four corners of the conductive film layer 52. By detecting with the detection electrode 55, the position touched by the conductor 54 can be detected (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

特開平８−１７９８７２号公報Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-179872

しかし、特許文献１に開示される静電容量式タッチパネルは、ユーザの指で操作が行われることを想定しているため、静電容量式タッチパネルに接触する面積が指よりも小さい導体の際には、導体が触れた位置を検出できない場合がある。なぜなら、静電容量式タッチパネルにより変化する静電容量は、静電容量式タッチパネルに接触する導体の接触面積に比例するため、導体と静電容量式タッチパネルとの接触面積が小さい場合には、静電容量の変化が小さすぎて導体が触れた位置の検出が難しいからである。また、導電膜層の代わりに格子状の電極膜パターンを有する静電容量式タッチパネルでは、電極膜パターンが形成されていない部分（すなわち、電極膜パターンの格子の内側）と重なる位置に導体が触れた場合、導体が静電容量式タッチパネルに触れたことを検出できないという問題もある。一方、細かい作業等では、所望の箇所をより容易に指示できる入力用部材が要求されている。 However, since the capacitive touch panel disclosed in Patent Document 1 is assumed to be operated with a user's finger, when the conductor touches the capacitive touch panel with a smaller area than the finger. May not be able to detect the position touched by the conductor. This is because the capacitance that changes due to the capacitive touch panel is proportional to the contact area of the conductor in contact with the capacitive touch panel. This is because it is difficult to detect the position touched by the conductor because the change in capacitance is too small. In addition, in a capacitive touch panel having a grid-like electrode film pattern instead of the conductive film layer, the conductor touches a position overlapping with a portion where the electrode film pattern is not formed (that is, inside the grid of the electrode film pattern). In such a case, there is a problem that it cannot be detected that the conductor touches the capacitive touch panel. On the other hand, for detailed work or the like, an input member that can more easily indicate a desired location is required.

そこで、本発明は、かかる要望に応じて、静電容量式タッチパネルにて検出容易であり、かつ、所望の箇所を容易に指示できる入力用部材を提供することを目的とする。 Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an input member that can be easily detected by a capacitive touch panel and can easily indicate a desired location in response to such a demand.

上記目的を達成するために、本発明の入力用部材の一実施の形態は、入力装置の静電容量式タッチパネル上に接触させるための接触部を有し、接触部は、空隙部分を有する中空形状であると共に、所定の圧力以上で静電容量式タッチパネルに接触すると、その接触面積が増加するように弾性変形するものとしている。 In order to achieve the above object, an embodiment of the input member of the present invention has a contact portion for contacting the capacitive touch panel of the input device, and the contact portion is a hollow having a gap portion. In addition to its shape, when it comes into contact with the capacitive touch panel at a predetermined pressure or higher, it is elastically deformed so that its contact area increases.

さらに、接触部の先端側は、曲率０．２〜０．７ｍｍ^−１の曲面であり得る。 Furthermore, the front end side of the contact portion may be a curved surface having a curvature of 0.2 to 0.7 mm ⁻¹ .

さらに、接触部の最先端から連続する傾斜面を有し得る。 Furthermore, it may have an inclined surface that continues from the forefront of the contact portion.

さらに、傾斜面は、曲率０．０５〜０．１８ｍｍ^−１の曲面であり得る。 Further, the inclined surface may be a curved surface having a curvature of 0.05 to 0.18 mm ⁻¹ .

さらに、接触部の中空形状を形成する壁部の厚さは、略均一であり得る。 Furthermore, the thickness of the wall part forming the hollow shape of the contact part may be substantially uniform.

さらに、ユーザが把持するための把持部を有し、把持部は、接触部に脱着可能に嵌合され得る。 Furthermore, it has a holding part for a user to hold and the holding part can be detachably fitted to the contact part.

さらに、接触部の少なくとも一部には、ウレタン系樹脂を主に含む被覆層が設けられ得る。 Furthermore, a coating layer mainly containing a urethane-based resin can be provided on at least a part of the contact portion.

さらに、被覆層は、フッ素含有フィラー、シリカ含有フィラー、変性シリコーン系潤滑剤およびポリエチレン系ワックスの少なくとも１つを含有し得る。 Furthermore, the coating layer may contain at least one of a fluorine-containing filler, a silica-containing filler, a modified silicone lubricant, and a polyethylene wax.

さらに、接触部の少なくとも一部には、繊維層が表側に設けられ得る。 Further, at least a part of the contact portion may be provided with a fiber layer on the front side.

本発明によれば、静電容量式タッチパネルにて検出容易であり、かつ、所望の箇所を容易に指示できる入力用部材を提供できる。 According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an input member that can be easily detected by a capacitive touch panel and can easily indicate a desired location.

本発明の第１の実施の形態に係る入力用部材を備えるスタイラスの斜視図である。It is a perspective view of a stylus provided with the member for input concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. 図１に示すスタイラスが有する入力用部材を示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view which shows the member for input which the stylus shown in FIG. 1 has. 図２に示す入力用部材を図２のＡ−Ａ線で切断した場合のＡ−Ａ線断面図である。FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA when the input member shown in FIG. 2 is cut along line AA in FIG. 2. 本発明の第２の実施の形態に係る入力用部材を示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view which shows the member for input which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 図５に示す入力用部材を図５のＢ−Ｂ線で切断した場合のＢ−Ｂ線断面図である。FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB when the input member illustrated in FIG. 5 is cut along line BB in FIG. 5. 本発明の第３の実施の形態に係る入力用部材を示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view which shows the member for input which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. 図６に示す入力用部材を図６のＣ−Ｃ線で切断した場合のＣ−Ｃ断面図である。It is CC sectional drawing at the time of cut | disconnecting the input member shown in FIG. 6 by the CC line of FIG. 図２に示す入力用部材の変形例を示す図３と同様の断面図である。FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing a modification of the input member shown in FIG. 2. 図４に示す入力用部材の変形例を示す図５と同様の断面図である。FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 showing a modification of the input member shown in FIG. 4. 従来から知られる静電容量式タッチパネルの検出原理を説明する概念図である。It is a conceptual diagram explaining the detection principle of the electrostatic capacitance type touch panel known conventionally.

次に、本発明に係る入力用部材の各実施の形態について、図面を参照しながら説明する。 Next, embodiments of the input member according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

（第１の実施の形態）
図１は、本発明の実施の形態に係る入力用部材１を備えるスタイラス２の斜視図である。 (First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stylus 2 including an input member 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

スタイラス２は、入力装置に備えられる静電容量式タッチパネルにて入力あるいは操作するための部材であって、インク等を用いないペン状の部材である。図１に示すように、スタイラス２は、入力用部材１と、把持部としての棒状部材３とを主に有する。入力用部材１は、棒状部材３の先端に嵌合されている。なお、本実施の形態においては、スタイラス２は、入力用部材１に棒状部材３が嵌合されているが、入力用部材１と棒状部材３とを一体化してもよい。あるいは、入力用部材１に、棒状部材３と嵌合させるためのジョイントを固着等してもよい。なお、以後、スタイラス２の各部材において、静電容量式タッチパネルに触れる側を先端側という。 The stylus 2 is a member for inputting or operating with a capacitive touch panel provided in the input device, and is a pen-like member that does not use ink or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the stylus 2 mainly includes an input member 1 and a rod-like member 3 as a grip portion. The input member 1 is fitted to the tip of the rod-shaped member 3. In the present embodiment, the stylus 2 has the rod-shaped member 3 fitted to the input member 1, but the input member 1 and the rod-shaped member 3 may be integrated. Alternatively, a joint for fitting with the rod-shaped member 3 may be fixed to the input member 1. Hereinafter, in each member of the stylus 2, a side that touches the capacitive touch panel is referred to as a tip side.

図２は、入力用部材１を示す斜視図である。図３は、図２の入力用部材１を図２のＡ−Ａ線で切断した場合の断面図である。なお、図２およびそれ以後の断面図では、見易さを考慮して、各部材の厚さの比率を実際の比率と変えて図示している。 FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the input member 1. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the input member 1 of FIG. 2 taken along the line AA of FIG. In FIG. 2 and subsequent cross-sectional views, the thickness ratio of each member is changed from the actual ratio in consideration of easy viewing.

入力用部材１は、静電容量式タッチパネルと触れる部材である。入力用部材１が静電容量式タッチパネルに触れた場合に、その触れた領域で静電容量の変化が生じるように、入力用部材１は、導電性を有している。具体的には、入力用部材１は、人間の指と同等またはそれよりも低電気抵抗値を示す部材であることが望ましい。たとえば、入力用部材１の好適な電気抵抗は、１０ＭΩ以下であり、より好ましくは、１ＭΩ以下、さらに、０．６ＫΩから３ＫΩの範囲が特に好ましい。 The input member 1 is a member that comes into contact with the capacitive touch panel. When the input member 1 touches the capacitive touch panel, the input member 1 has conductivity so that the capacitance changes in the touched region. Specifically, it is desirable that the input member 1 is a member that exhibits an electrical resistance value equivalent to or lower than that of a human finger. For example, the suitable electrical resistance of the input member 1 is 10 MΩ or less, more preferably 1 MΩ or less, and particularly preferably in the range of 0.6 KΩ to 3 KΩ.

入力用部材１は、低硬度の導電性弾性体により主に構成されている。たとえば、入力用部材１のショアー硬度Ａは、１０度から９０度、より好ましくは、３０度から７０度であるのが好ましい。また、入力用部材１には、導電性を付与するために、導電性材料が分散されている。入力用部材１に分散される導電性材料としては、たとえば、カーボンあるいは金属等を用いることができるが、特に、粒子径が小さく（たとえば、ナノサイズの粒子）、取り扱いが容易なカーボンブラックを用いるのが好ましい。また、入力用部材１を構成する母材としては、シリコーンゴム、ウレタンゴム、イソプレンゴム、エチレンプロピレンゴム、天然ゴム、エチレンプロピレンジエンゴムあるいはスチレンブタジエンゴム等の熱硬化性エラストマー、ウレタン系、エステル系、スチレン系、オレフィン系、ブタジエン系あるいはフッ素系等の熱可塑性エラストマー、あるいはそれらの複合物等を用いることができる。それらの材料の中でも、耐久性が高いウレタン系エラストマー、シリコーンゴムあるいはそれらの複合物を用いるのが好ましい。導電性材料の混合量は、導電性を高めかつ弾性を維持する観点から、母材と当該導電性材料の総重量に対して５〜５０重量％であるのが好ましい。 The input member 1 is mainly composed of a low hardness conductive elastic body. For example, the Shore hardness A of the input member 1 is preferably 10 degrees to 90 degrees, more preferably 30 degrees to 70 degrees. In addition, a conductive material is dispersed in the input member 1 in order to impart conductivity. As the conductive material dispersed in the input member 1, for example, carbon or metal can be used. In particular, carbon black having a small particle diameter (for example, nano-sized particles) and easy to handle is used. Is preferred. In addition, as a base material constituting the input member 1, thermosetting elastomers such as silicone rubber, urethane rubber, isoprene rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, natural rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber or styrene butadiene rubber, urethane type, ester type Styrene-based, olefin-based, butadiene-based or fluorine-based thermoplastic elastomers, or composites thereof can be used. Among these materials, it is preferable to use urethane-based elastomer, silicone rubber or a composite thereof having high durability. The mixing amount of the conductive material is preferably 5 to 50% by weight with respect to the total weight of the base material and the conductive material from the viewpoint of enhancing conductivity and maintaining elasticity.

入力用部材１は、支持部４と接触部５とを有する。支持部４は、棒状部材３の挿入口であり、棒状部材３に入力用部材１を固定するための略円筒形の部分である。接触部５は、支持部４の先端側に設けられ、先端側に突出する略球面を有する。接触部５の先端側外面は、曲率０．２〜０．７ｍｍ^−１の曲面である。なお、曲率とは、曲率半径の逆数で表わされる。接触部５の先端側が略球面を有することにより、静電容量式タッチパネルと最初に触れる接触部５の面積は、非常に微小である。また、入力用部材１は、その内部に空隙６を有し、いわゆる中空構造を呈している。たとえば、好適な支持部４は、外径α：２〜９ｍｍ、内径β：１〜８ｍｍ、かつ、高さｐ：３〜１０ｍｍの部材である。また、好適な接触部５は、たとえば、外径ζ：３〜１０ｍｍ、内径γ：２〜３ｍｍ、高さｋ：３〜５ｍｍ、壁部の肉厚ｔ：約１ｍｍの部材である。なお、入力用部材１は、接触部５の先端側に切り欠け部を有していてもよいし、一定の曲率を示さない楕円状の曲面を有する接触部５を有していてもよい。 The input member 1 includes a support part 4 and a contact part 5. The support portion 4 is an insertion port for the rod-like member 3 and is a substantially cylindrical portion for fixing the input member 1 to the rod-like member 3. The contact portion 5 is provided on the distal end side of the support portion 4 and has a substantially spherical surface protruding toward the distal end side. The outer surface on the front end side of the contact portion 5 is a curved surface having a curvature of 0.2 to 0.7 mm ⁻¹ . The curvature is represented by the reciprocal of the radius of curvature. Since the tip end side of the contact portion 5 has a substantially spherical surface, the area of the contact portion 5 that first comes into contact with the capacitive touch panel is very small. Further, the input member 1 has a gap 6 inside thereof and has a so-called hollow structure. For example, the suitable support portion 4 is a member having an outer diameter α: 2 to 9 mm, an inner diameter β: 1 to 8 mm, and a height p: 3 to 10 mm. Moreover, the suitable contact part 5 is a member with outer diameter (zeta): 3-10mm, internal diameter (gamma): 2-3mm, height k: 3-5mm, and wall thickness t: about 1 mm, for example. Note that the input member 1 may have a notch portion on the distal end side of the contact portion 5 or may have the contact portion 5 having an elliptical curved surface that does not exhibit a certain curvature.

かかる構造の入力用部材１は、一定以上の筆圧を加えると、入力用部材１が弾性変形し、静電容量式タッチパネル上でつぶれる。このため、接触後に、静電容量式タッチパネルと入力用部材１との接触面積を増加できる。入力用部材１は、入力用部材１および棒状部材３の自重による荷重よりも大きい加重により弾性変形するような部材であるのが好ましい。たとえば、入力用部材１および棒状部材３の自重は、通常１０ｇ程度であるため、２０ｇ以上の加重により静電容量式タッチパネルに入力用部材１を押し付けた場合に、入力用部材１が弾性変形するように設計するのが好ましい。また、入力用部材１の支持部４は、棒状部材３が抜けないように、支持部４の棒状部材３が挿入される側の内径βを先端側よりもわずかに細くする方が好ましい。 When the input member 1 having such a structure is applied with a certain pressure or more, the input member 1 is elastically deformed and is crushed on the capacitive touch panel. For this reason, the contact area between the capacitive touch panel and the input member 1 can be increased after the contact. The input member 1 is preferably a member that is elastically deformed by a load greater than the load caused by the weight of the input member 1 and the rod-shaped member 3. For example, since the weight of the input member 1 and the rod-shaped member 3 is normally about 10 g, the input member 1 is elastically deformed when the input member 1 is pressed against the capacitive touch panel with a weight of 20 g or more. It is preferable to design as follows. Further, it is preferable that the support portion 4 of the input member 1 has a slightly smaller inner diameter β on the side where the rod-like member 3 of the support portion 4 is inserted than the tip end side so that the rod-like member 3 does not come off.

棒状部材３は、硬質の部材から形成される部材である。たとえば、棒状部材３は、ステンレス、真鍮若しくは鉄等の金属、ＡＢＳ系、ポリカーボネート系、ポリエチレン系、ポリプロピレン系若しくはそれらに導電性を付与した樹脂またはそれらのアロイ配合物等の部材から形成される。また、棒状部材３は、導電性の部材から形成されるのが好ましいが、絶縁性の部材で構成されてもよい。ユーザは、入力用部材１に嵌合された棒状部材３を把持することができる。このため、スタイラス２は、操作しやすくなる。 The rod-shaped member 3 is a member formed from a hard member. For example, the rod-like member 3 is formed of a member such as a metal such as stainless steel, brass or iron, an ABS, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, or a resin imparted with conductivity or an alloy composition thereof. Moreover, although the rod-shaped member 3 is preferably formed of a conductive member, it may be formed of an insulating member. The user can grip the rod-shaped member 3 fitted to the input member 1. For this reason, the stylus 2 is easy to operate.

上述のような入力用部材１では、一定以上の筆圧を加えない状態では、静電容量式タッチパネルと接触する面積が小さくなる。したがって、ユーザは、入力用部材１の最先端部分を、静電容量式タッチパネルのある指定領域に正確に重ねることが容易である。また、入力用部材１は、筆圧により弾性変形し、静電容量式タッチパネルとの接触面積を増加できる。このため、入力用部材１を所望の位置に合わせた際または位置を合わせた後に、入力用部材１と静電容量式タッチパネルとの接触面積を増加できる。入力用部材１と静電容量式タッチパネルとの接触面積が増加すると、接触位置の検出が容易になる。静電容量式タッチパネルにおける静電容量の変化は、静電容量式タッチパネルと入力用部材１との接触面積に比例するからである。 In the input member 1 as described above, the area in contact with the capacitive touch panel is reduced in a state where a certain level of writing pressure is not applied. Therefore, it is easy for the user to accurately overlay the most advanced portion of the input member 1 on a specified area on the capacitive touch panel. Further, the input member 1 can be elastically deformed by the writing pressure, and the contact area with the capacitive touch panel can be increased. For this reason, the contact area of the input member 1 and the capacitive touch panel can be increased when the input member 1 is adjusted to a desired position or after the position is adjusted. When the contact area between the input member 1 and the capacitive touch panel increases, detection of the contact position becomes easy. This is because the change in capacitance in the capacitive touch panel is proportional to the contact area between the capacitive touch panel and the input member 1.

また、上述のような入力用部材１を構成する場合には、入力用部材１の静電容量式タッチパネル上における滑り性を向上させるために、入力用部材１に被覆層（不図示）を設けるのが好ましい。たとえば、以下のような方法にて被覆層を設けることができる。まず、入力用部材１にプラズマ処理を施し、その部分にプライマーを塗布する。次に、そこへウレタン系樹脂を主に含むコーティング材を塗布することで被覆層を形成する。このように、入力用部材１のうち、静電容量式タッチパネルに触れる部分をウレタン系被覆層に覆うことにより、入力用部材１の静電容量式タッチパネルに対する滑り性を向上できる。また、ウレタン系被覆層は、弾性に富むため、接触部５の弾性を妨げない。かかる場合には、ウレタン系被覆層に、フッ素系若しくはシリカ系のフィラー、変性シリコーン系潤滑剤、およびポリエチレン系のワックス等の少なくとも１つを添加することにより、滑り性をより向上できる。ここで「フィラー」は、粒子、繊維、針といったいかなる形態の添加物をも含む。また、ウレタン系被覆層に添加するポリエステルの一部をポリカーボネートに変更することで、被覆層の組成をより硬質とするのが好ましい。なお、コーティング剤を塗布するのではなく、繊維から主に成る繊維層を入力用部材１のうち静電容量式タッチパネルに触れる部分に設けてもよい。たとえば、織物あるいは不織布が表面に露出する繊維層を設けてもよい。繊維層を設けることで、静電容量式タッチパネル上における入力用部材１の滑り性を向上できる。なお、繊維層が非導電性とした場合には、安定した動作を実現するために、被覆層の厚みを３００μｍ以下、好ましくは２００μｍ以下にする必要がある。一方、カーボンクロス若しくはその他の導電性クロスのような導電性の織物、あるいは導電性の不織布等を繊維層として設ける場合には、被覆層の厚さをより厚くできるため、被覆層の強度を向上できる。繊維層は、両面テープあるいは接着剤により入力用部材１に固着してもよい。あるいは、入力用部材１を成型する際に、導電性の繊維層を型に配置してから入力用部材１の原料を型に充填し、入力用部材１と導電性の繊維とを一体化してもよい。入力用部材１と導電性の繊維とを一体化する場合には、入力用部材１と導電性の繊維との接着性を向上させるために、プライマーを用いてもよい。 When the input member 1 is configured as described above, a covering layer (not shown) is provided on the input member 1 in order to improve the slipperiness of the input member 1 on the capacitive touch panel. Is preferred. For example, the coating layer can be provided by the following method. First, the input member 1 is subjected to plasma treatment, and a primer is applied to that portion. Next, the coating layer is formed by applying a coating material mainly containing a urethane resin thereto. Thus, the slipperiness with respect to the capacitive touch panel of the input member 1 can be improved by covering the portion of the input member 1 that touches the capacitive touch panel with the urethane-based coating layer. Further, since the urethane-based coating layer is rich in elasticity, it does not hinder the elasticity of the contact portion 5. In such a case, the slipperiness can be further improved by adding at least one of a fluorine-based or silica-based filler, a modified silicone-based lubricant, and a polyethylene-based wax to the urethane-based coating layer. Here, the “filler” includes any form of additive such as particles, fibers, and needles. Moreover, it is preferable to make the composition of a coating layer harder by changing some polyester added to a urethane type coating layer to a polycarbonate. Instead of applying a coating agent, a fiber layer mainly composed of fibers may be provided on a portion of the input member 1 that touches the capacitive touch panel. For example, a fiber layer in which a woven fabric or a non-woven fabric is exposed on the surface may be provided. By providing the fiber layer, the slipperiness of the input member 1 on the capacitive touch panel can be improved. When the fiber layer is non-conductive, the thickness of the coating layer needs to be 300 μm or less, preferably 200 μm or less in order to realize stable operation. On the other hand, when a conductive fabric such as carbon cloth or other conductive cloth, or a conductive nonwoven fabric is provided as the fiber layer, the coating layer can be made thicker, thus improving the strength of the coating layer. it can. The fiber layer may be fixed to the input member 1 with a double-sided tape or an adhesive. Alternatively, when the input member 1 is molded, the conductive fiber layer is disposed in the mold, and then the raw material of the input member 1 is filled into the mold, and the input member 1 and the conductive fiber are integrated. Also good. When the input member 1 and the conductive fiber are integrated, a primer may be used in order to improve the adhesion between the input member 1 and the conductive fiber.

（第２の実施の形態）
次に、第２の実施の形態に係る入力用部材１０について、図面を参照しながら説明する。図４は、第２の実施の形態に係る入力用部材１０の斜視図である。図５は、図４に示す入力用部材１０をＢ−Ｂ線で切断した場合の断面図である。なお、第１の実施の形態に係る入力用部材１と同じ構成要素については、同じ番号を用いて説明する。 (Second Embodiment)
Next, the input member 10 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the input member 10 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the input member 10 shown in FIG. 4 taken along the line BB. The same constituent elements as those of the input member 1 according to the first embodiment will be described using the same numbers.

入力用部材１０が入力用部材１と異なる点は、接触部１５の構造である。具体的には、入力用部材１０の接触部１５は、円柱の先端側端部を斜めに切り落とした傾斜面１６を有する形状である。ここで「傾斜面」は、鉛直方向の面を除外する意味に解釈され、その斜面が平面、曲面のいずれの面である場合も含む。かかる構造の入力用部材１０とすることで、接触部１５の最先端部分を、第１の実施の形態における接触部５よりも細くすることができる。このため、ユーザは、静電容量式タッチパネルの所望の位置に入力用部材１０の最先端部を重ねやすい。また、接触部１５の最先端部分は、接触部１５の外周面部分に位置しているので、所望の領域に触れる際に、当該所望の領域が接触部１５に隠れて死角になることがない。したがって、ユーザは、静電容量式タッチパネルの所望の位置に入力用部材１０の最先端部を一層重ねやすい。 The input member 10 is different from the input member 1 in the structure of the contact portion 15. Specifically, the contact portion 15 of the input member 10 has a shape having an inclined surface 16 obtained by obliquely cutting off the end portion on the tip side of the cylinder. Here, the “inclined surface” is interpreted to exclude a surface in the vertical direction, and includes a case where the inclined surface is either a flat surface or a curved surface. By setting it as the input member 10 of such a structure, the most advanced part of the contact part 15 can be made thinner than the contact part 5 in 1st Embodiment. For this reason, the user can easily overlap the most advanced portion of the input member 10 at a desired position on the capacitive touch panel. Moreover, since the most advanced part of the contact part 15 is located in the outer peripheral surface part of the contact part 15, when touching a desired area | region, the said desired area | region does not hide behind the contact part 15, and becomes a blind spot. . Therefore, the user can more easily overlap the most advanced portion of the input member 10 at a desired position on the capacitive touch panel.

また、入力用部材１０の構造を採用する場合には、傾斜面１６が平面ではなく、わずかな曲面形状とするのがより好ましい。たとえば、傾斜面１６に形成する曲面形状は、傾斜面が平面である場合の当該平面からの最大高さを１．０ｍｍの凸状とするのが好ましく、曲率０．０５〜０．１８ｍｍ^−１程度で形成されるのが好ましい。傾斜面１６が平面の場合には、ユーザが入力用部材１０を用いる際に、傾斜面１６がタッチパネルの表面に触れる角度まで入力用部材１０に嵌合された棒状部材２を傾けて操作する必要がある。一方、傾斜面１６が曲率０．０５〜０．１８ｍｍ^−１程度の曲面形状の場合には、タッチパネル表面に対する棒状部材２の角度が多少変化しても、傾斜面１６の凸状部の頂点付近がタッチパネルに接触できる。また、筆圧を加えた場合には、傾斜面１６とタッチパネルとの接触点を支点として、入力用部材１０が弾性変形し、静電容量式タッチパネルとの接触面積を増加できる。したがって、傾斜面１６が曲率０．０５〜０．１８ｍｍ^−１程度の曲面形状の場合には、タッチパネル表面に対する入力用部材１０の接触角度に自由度が生まれるため操作容易になる。 When the structure of the input member 10 is adopted, it is more preferable that the inclined surface 16 is not a flat surface but a slightly curved surface. For example, the curved surface shape formed on the inclined surface 16 is preferably a convex shape having a maximum height of 1.0 mm when the inclined surface is a plane, and a curvature of 0.05 to 0.18 mm ^−1. Preferably, it is formed to the extent. When the inclined surface 16 is a flat surface, when the user uses the input member 10, it is necessary to operate the rod-like member 2 fitted to the input member 10 by tilting it to an angle at which the inclined surface 16 touches the surface of the touch panel. There is. On the other hand, when the inclined surface 16 has a curved surface shape with a curvature of about 0.05 to 0.18 mm ⁻¹ , even if the angle of the rod-like member 2 with respect to the touch panel surface changes slightly, near the vertex of the convex portion of the inclined surface 16 Can touch the touch panel. In addition, when writing pressure is applied, the input member 10 is elastically deformed with the contact point between the inclined surface 16 and the touch panel as a fulcrum, and the contact area with the capacitive touch panel can be increased. Therefore, when the inclined surface 16 has a curved surface shape with a curvature of about 0.05 to 0.18 mm ^{−1, a} degree of freedom is generated in the contact angle of the input member 10 with respect to the touch panel surface, which facilitates operation.

（第３の実施の形態）
次に、第３の実施の形態に係る入力用部材２０について、図面を参照しながら説明する。図６は、第３の実施の形態に係る入力用部材２０の斜視図である。図７は、図５に示す入力用部材２０をＣ−Ｃ線で切断した場合の断面図である。なお、第１の実施の形態に係る入力用部材１と同じ構成要素については、同じ番号を用いて説明する。 (Third embodiment)
Next, an input member 20 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the input member 20 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the input member 20 shown in FIG. 5 taken along line CC. The same constituent elements as those of the input member 1 according to the first embodiment will be described using the same numbers.

入力用部材２０が入力用部材１と異なる点は、接触部２５の構造である。具体的には、入力用部材２０の接触部２５は、球形ではなく、先端側を頂点とする円錐形状の円錐部２６を有する。入力用部材２０をかかる構造とすることで、接触部２５の最先端部分を、第１の実施の形態における接触部５よりも細くできる。したがって、入力用部材２０は、ユーザが静電容量式タッチパネルの所望の位置を選択しやすいものになる。 The difference between the input member 20 and the input member 1 is the structure of the contact portion 25. Specifically, the contact portion 25 of the input member 20 is not spherical but has a conical cone portion 26 having the apex at the tip side. By making the input member 20 have such a structure, the most distal portion of the contact portion 25 can be made thinner than the contact portion 5 in the first embodiment. Therefore, the input member 20 makes it easy for the user to select a desired position of the capacitive touch panel.

以上、本発明の入力用部材１，１０，２０について説明したが、本発明は、上述の実施の形態に限定されることなく、種々変形を施して実施可能である。 The input members 1, 10, and 20 of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented with various modifications.

たとえば、上述の各実施の形態では、入力用部材１，１０，２０の各寸法について例示したが、例示した数値に限定されない。たとえば、入力用部材１，１０，２０は、静電容量式タッチパネルの大きさあるいは検出感度の違いによって、その寸法を変化させることができる。しかし、人間の指先で操作することが想定されている静電容量式タッチパネルにおいては、一般に、一辺が４〜５ｍｍの格子の交差部分で検出可能な静電容量式タッチパネルとされているので、例示した数値で入力用部材１，１０，２０を形成するのがより好ましい。 For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the dimensions of the input members 1, 10, and 20 have been illustrated, but are not limited to the illustrated numerical values. For example, the dimensions of the input members 1, 10 and 20 can be changed depending on the size of the capacitive touch panel or the difference in detection sensitivity. However, a capacitive touch panel that is assumed to be operated with a human fingertip is generally a capacitive touch panel that can be detected at a crossing portion of a grid having a side of 4 to 5 mm. It is more preferable to form the input members 1, 10 and 20 with the numerical values obtained.

図８および図９は、本実施の形態の変形例に係る入力用部材３０および入力用部材４０の各断面図である。 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views of the input member 30 and the input member 40 according to a modification of the present embodiment.

上述の各実施の形態では、入力用部材１，１０，２０の壁部の肉厚ｔは、どの部分であっても略均一の範囲内であるが、このような形態に限らない。ここで、「略均一の範囲内」とは、肉厚ｔが平均肉厚に対して±１０％の範囲にあることをいう。図８および図９に示すように、入力用部材３０，４０が備える空隙３６，４６は、接触部５，１５の先端側まで到達していなくてもよい。かかる場合には、タッチパネルと接触する先端側の肉厚ｔが他の部分の肉厚と比較して著しく大きいため、入力用部材３０，４０の耐久性が向上する。また、先端側で弾性変形を生じにくくなるため、入力用部材３０，４０がタッチパネルに接触してから、弾性変形が起こるまでの加重が大きくなる。したがって、所定の荷重を加えた時のみ弾性変形が生じるため、誤入力を低減できる。 In each of the embodiments described above, the wall thickness t of the wall portion of the input members 1, 10, 20 is within a substantially uniform range at any portion, but is not limited to such a form. Here, “within a substantially uniform range” means that the thickness t is in a range of ± 10% with respect to the average thickness. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the gaps 36 and 46 included in the input members 30 and 40 do not have to reach the tip side of the contact portions 5 and 15. In such a case, since the wall thickness t on the tip side in contact with the touch panel is significantly larger than the wall thickness of other parts, the durability of the input members 30 and 40 is improved. Moreover, since it becomes difficult to produce elastic deformation in the front end side, the load until elastic deformation occurs after the input members 30 and 40 come into contact with the touch panel increases. Therefore, since an elastic deformation occurs only when a predetermined load is applied, erroneous input can be reduced.

また、上述の各実施の形態では、入力用部材１，１０，２０の外周面に施す被覆層は、必須ではない。また、被覆層は、少なくとも入力用部材１，１０，２０の接触部５，１５，２５に設けられていれば、その効果を発揮できる。また、被覆層を設ける前のプラズマ処理やプライマー処理は、必須ではない。 Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the coating layer applied to the outer peripheral surfaces of the input members 1, 10, 20 is not essential. Moreover, if the coating layer is provided at least on the contact portions 5, 15, and 25 of the input members 1, 10, and 20, the effect can be exhibited. Moreover, plasma treatment and primer treatment before providing the coating layer are not essential.

また、上述の各実施の形態では、入力用部材１，１０，２０，３０，４０は、棒状部材３を挿入可能な形態であるが、そのような形態に限らない。棒状部材３とは異なる柱形状の部材、たとえば、筆記具等を入力用部材１，１０，２０，３０，４０に挿入されてもよい。あるいは、入力用部材１，１０，２０，３０，４０それ自体が、軸部を有するような形状であって、棒状部材３がなくてもユーザが把持できるような形態であってもよい。さらに、棒状部材３と入力用部材１，１０，２０，３０，４０とを接続するための接合部材を用いてもよい。あるいは、棒状部材３と入力用部材１，１０，２０，３０，４０とが接離可能に構成されていてもよい。棒状部材３と入力用部材１，１０，２０，３０，４０とが接離可能に構成されている場合には、入力用部材１，１０，２０，３０，４０を適宜交換できるようなスタイラス２を構築できる。 In the above-described embodiments, the input members 1, 10, 20, 30, and 40 can be inserted into the rod-shaped member 3, but are not limited to such a form. A columnar member different from the rod-shaped member 3, for example, a writing instrument or the like may be inserted into the input members 1, 10, 20, 30, 40. Alternatively, the input members 1, 10, 20, 30, and 40 themselves may have a shape having a shaft portion and may be in a form that can be gripped by the user without the rod-shaped member 3. Furthermore, you may use the joining member for connecting the rod-shaped member 3 and the input members 1,10,20,30,40. Alternatively, the rod-shaped member 3 and the input members 1, 10, 20, 30, 40 may be configured to be able to contact and separate. When the rod-shaped member 3 and the input members 1, 10, 20, 30, 40 are configured to be contactable / separable, the stylus 2 that allows the input members 1, 10, 20, 30, 40 to be appropriately replaced. Can be built.

本発明は、たとえば、静電容量式タッチパネルを有する電子機器用の入力用部材等に利用できる。 The present invention can be used, for example, as an input member for an electronic device having a capacitive touch panel.

１，１０，２０，３０，４０入力用部材
３棒状部材（把持部）
４支持部
５，１５，２５接触部
６，３６，４６空隙
１６傾斜面
ｔ肉厚

1, 10, 20, 30, 40 Input member 3 Bar-shaped member (gripping part)
4 Support parts 5, 15, 25 Contact parts 6, 36, 46 Gap 16 Inclined surface t Thickness

Claims

It has a contact part for making contact on the capacitive touch panel of the input device,
The contact member has a hollow shape having a gap portion, and elastically deforms so as to increase a contact area when contacting the capacitive touch panel at a predetermined pressure or higher.

The input member according to claim 1,
The input member according to claim ¹ , wherein a distal end side of the contact portion is a curved surface having a curvature of 0.2 to 0.7 mm- ¹ .

The input member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
An input member having an inclined surface continuous from the forefront of the contact portion.

The input member according to claim 3,
The input member, wherein the inclined surface is a curved surface having a curvature of 0.05 to 0.18 mm ⁻¹ .

The input member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:
The input member according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the wall portion forming the hollow shape of the contact portion is substantially uniform.

The input member according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein
Furthermore, it has a grip part for the user to grip,
The input member, wherein the grip portion is detachably fitted to the contact portion.

The input member according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An input member, wherein a coating layer mainly containing a urethane resin is provided on at least a part of the contact portion.

The input member according to claim 7,
The input member, wherein the coating layer contains at least one of a fluorine-containing filler, a silica-containing filler, a modified silicone lubricant, and a polyethylene wax.

The input member according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An input member, wherein a fiber layer is provided on the front side of at least a part of the contact portion.