JP2012059091A - Touch panel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a touch panel mainly used in operations of various electronic apparatuses, which can be easily manufactured and can perform various operations at a low cost.SOLUTION: An upper conductive layer 12 is provided on a whole surface of a lower surface of an upper substrate 11 and multiple substantially strip-shaped lower conductive layers 14 are formed on an upper surface of a lower substrate 13 so as to be arranged at predetermined intervals, thereby there is no need to perform an etching process or the like on the upper conductive layer 12 of the lower surface of the upper substrate 11 and there is no need to form an upper electrode or the like by printing or the like. Therefore, a touch panel which can be easily manufactured and can perform various operations at a low cost can be obtained because multiple pressed positions can be detected by the multiple substantially strip-shaped lower conductive layers 14.

Description

  The present invention relates to a touch panel used mainly for operating various electronic devices.

  In recent years, as various types of electronic devices such as mobile phones and electronic cameras have become highly functional and diversified, a light-transmissive touch panel is mounted on the front surface of a display element such as a liquid crystal display element, and the display element on the back side is attached through this touch panel. There is an increasing number of devices that switch various functions of a device by pressing a touch panel with a finger, a pen, or the like while viewing a display, and there is a demand for a device that is inexpensive and easy to operate.

  Such a conventional touch panel will be described with reference to FIGS.

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

  9 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional touch panel, and FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view. In FIG. 9, 1 is a film-like upper substrate that is light-transmissive, 2 is a light-transmissive lower substrate such as glass, A light transmissive upper conductive layer 3 such as indium tin oxide is formed on the lower surface of the substrate 1, and a lower conductive layer 4 is formed on the upper surface of the lower substrate 2.

  A pair of upper electrodes 5A and 5B made of silver or the like are provided at the left and right ends of the upper conductive layer 3, and a pair of lower electrodes 6A and 6B are provided at the front and rear ends in the direction orthogonal to the upper conductive layer 3 of the lower conductive layer 4. Each of the upper electrodes 5 </ b> A, 5 </ b> B and the lower electrodes 6 </ b> A, 6 </ b> B extends to the outer peripheral front ends of the upper substrate 1 and the lower substrate 2.

  A plurality of dot spacers (not shown) are formed on the upper surface of the lower conductive layer 4 by an insulating resin at predetermined intervals, and a substantially frame-like spacer 7 is formed on the inner peripheral edge between the upper substrate 1 and the lower substrate 2. The outer peripheries of the upper substrate 1 and the lower substrate 2 are bonded together by an adhesive (not shown) applied and formed on the upper and lower surfaces or one surface of the spacer 7 so that the upper conductive layer 3 and the lower conductive layer 4 are predetermined. Facing each other with a gap.

  Further, 8 is a film-like wiring board, and a plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) are formed on one side or upper and lower sides, and the rear ends of the wiring board 8 are the outer peripheries of the upper board 1 and the lower board 2. The rear end of each wiring pattern is adhesively connected to the front ends of the upper electrodes 5A and 5B and the lower electrodes 6A and 6B by an anisotropic conductive adhesive (not shown) sandwiched between the front ends and having conductive particles dispersed in a synthetic resin. ing.

  Reference numeral 9 denotes a film-like and light-transmitting display sheet. A light-transmitting portion 9A is formed in the center portion, and a substantially frame-shaped additional coating painted in a dark color such as black or gray on the outer peripheral inner edge of the lower surface. A decorative portion 9B is provided, and the display sheet 9 is adhered to the upper surface of the upper substrate 1 by an adhesive layer 9C formed on the entire lower surface to constitute a touch panel.

  The touch panel thus configured 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 a plurality of wiring patterns on the wiring board 8 are soldered or connected to a connector (FIG. (Not shown) or the like is electrically connected to an electronic circuit (not shown) of the device.

  In the above configuration, when the upper surface of the display sheet 9 on the desired display is pressed with a finger or a pen while viewing the display on the display element on the back of the touch panel through the light transmitting portion 9A of the display sheet 9, the upper substrate 1 below this Is bent and the upper conductive layer 3 of the pressed portion comes into contact with the lower conductive layer 4.

  Then, a voltage is sequentially applied from the electronic circuit to the pair of upper electrodes 5A, 5B and the lower electrodes 6A, 6B through a plurality of wiring patterns on the wiring board 8, and both ends of the upper conductive layer 3 and the lower direction in the direction orthogonal thereto. The electronic circuit detects the pressed location based on the voltage ratio across the conductive layer 4, and various functions of the device are switched.

  That is, when the upper surface of the display sheet 9 on a desired menu is pressed in a state where a plurality of menus are displayed on the display element on the back surface of the touch panel, for example, depending on the voltage ratio of the upper electrodes 5A and 5B and the lower electrodes 6A and 6B. The operated position is detected by an electronic circuit, and a desired menu can be selected from a plurality of menus.

  In order to manufacture the touch panel as described above, first, in general, the central portion of the upper substrate 1 having a thin film such as indium tin oxide formed on the entire lower surface or the lower substrate 2 having the same thin film formed on the entire upper surface. Is masked and dipped in a predetermined etching solution, and the thin film at unnecessary portions on the inner periphery of the outer periphery is removed to form the upper conductive layer 3 and the lower conductive layer 4.

  Then, after the upper electrodes 5A and 5B and the lower electrodes 6A and 6B are formed on the lower surface of the upper substrate 1 and the upper surface of the lower substrate 2 by printing or the like, the upper substrate 1 and the lower substrate 2 are bonded together by the spacer 7 The rear end of the wiring substrate 8 coated with the conductive adhesive is sandwiched between the outer peripheral front ends of the upper substrate 1 and the lower substrate 2, and this is heated and pressurized to change the wiring pattern of the wiring substrate 8 to the upper electrodes 5A, 5B and the lower electrodes. Adhesive connection to 6A and 6B.

  Furthermore, after that, the display sheet 9 on which the translucent part 9A and the decoration part 9B are formed is pasted on the upper surface of the upper substrate 1 with the adhesive layer 9C on the lower surface, thereby completing the touch panel.

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

JP 2009-277121 A

  However, in the above-described conventional touch panel, the upper substrate 1 and the lower substrate 2 having the upper conductive layer 3 and the lower conductive layer 4 formed on the entire lower surface and upper surface are immersed in a predetermined etching solution so that the outer peripheral edge is unnecessary. After the upper conductive layer 3 and the lower conductive layer 4 are removed, the upper electrodes 5A and 5B and the lower electrodes 6A and 6B are formed on both the lower surface of the upper substrate 1 and the upper surface of the lower substrate 2 by printing or the like. There is a problem that it takes time and effort to produce, and it becomes expensive.

  The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a touch panel that can be easily manufactured and that can be operated at low cost and variously.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the upper conductive layer is provided on the entire lower surface of the upper substrate, and a plurality of lower conductive layers having a substantially strip shape are arranged on the upper surface of the lower substrate at predetermined intervals to constitute a touch panel. The upper conductive layer on the lower surface of the upper substrate does not need to be etched, and it is not necessary to form the upper electrode by printing or the like. Since a plurality of pressing positions can be detected by the layer, it is possible to obtain a touch panel that is inexpensive and capable of various operations.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of lower conductive layers are formed with different widths or intervals, and a plurality of lower conductive layers with different widths or intervals are combined into one set. Since the pressing position can be detected, the operation position can be detected in a short time.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a resistor is provided at an end of the lower conductive layer, and resistors having different resistance values are provided at a pair of lower conductive layer ends. By providing the body, the operation positions in two orthogonal directions can be detected at the same time, so that the operation position can be detected in a short time.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that it is possible to realize a touch panel that can be easily manufactured and can be operated at low cost and variously.

Sectional drawing of the touchscreen by the 1st Embodiment of this invention Exploded perspective view Partial perspective view The top view of the touchscreen by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention Plan view according to another embodiment Plan view Sectional drawing of the touchscreen by the 3rd Embodiment of this invention Plan view Cross-sectional view of a conventional touch panel Exploded perspective view

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

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

(Embodiment 1)
The first aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to the first embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a touch panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof, in which 11 is a film of polyethylene terephthalate, polyethersulfone, polycarbonate or the like and transmits light A light transmissive upper conductive layer 12 such as indium tin oxide or tin oxide is formed on the entire lower surface of the upper substrate 11 by sputtering or the like.

  A transparent portion 11A is formed in the central portion of the upper substrate 11, and a pigment or the like is dispersed in an insulating resin such as polyester or epoxy at the outer peripheral edge of the lower surface, and painted in a dark color such as black or gray. The substantially frame-shaped decoration part 11B made is provided.

  Reference numeral 13 denotes a light-transmitting lower substrate made of a thin plate such as a film or glass, and a plurality of lower light-transmitting lower conductive layers 14 such as indium tin oxide and tin oxide having the same width on the upper surface. For example, a width of about 1 to 2 mm and a predetermined interval, for example, an interval of about 0.2 mm, are arranged by sputtering.

  Further, a plurality of dot spacers (not shown) are formed on the upper surface of the lower conductive layer 14 by an insulating resin such as epoxy or silicone at a predetermined interval, and at the outer peripheral inner edge between the upper substrate 11 and the lower substrate 13, A spacer 15 made of polyester, epoxy, non-woven fabric or the like is provided in a substantially band shape or a frame shape, and the upper substrate 11 is coated with an adhesive (not shown) such as acrylic or rubber applied and formed on the upper and lower surfaces or one surface of the spacer 15. And the lower substrate 13 are bonded together, and the upper conductive layer 12 and the plurality of lower conductive layers 14 face each other with a predetermined gap therebetween.

  Reference numeral 16 denotes a film-like wiring substrate such as polyimide or polyethylene terephthalate, and a plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) such as copper foil, silver, and carbon are formed on the lower surface or the upper and lower surfaces.

  One end of each of the plurality of wiring boards 16 is sandwiched between the front and rear outer peripheries of the upper board 11 and the lower board 13, and nickel or resin is gold-plated in a synthetic resin such as epoxy, acrylic, or polyester. Each wiring pattern is adhesively connected to the front end and the rear end of the plurality of lower conductive layers 14 by an anisotropic conductive adhesive (not shown) in which a plurality of conductive particles are dispersed.

  Further, the outer dimension of the upper substrate 11 is formed such that the outer periphery protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the lower substrate 13 by, for example, about 0.5 to 5 mm, and the inner periphery of the substantially frame-shaped decorative portion 11B is a spacer. The touch panel is formed so as to protrude inward from the inner periphery of 15, for example, about 0.1 to 1 mm.

  In order to manufacture the touch panel as described above, first, a sheet (not shown) in which a thin film such as indium tin oxide is formed on the entire lower surface is cut into a predetermined dimension, and the upper conductive layer 12 is formed on the entire lower surface. The provided upper substrate 11 is manufactured, and a dark color decorative portion 11B such as black or gray is formed in a substantially frame shape by printing or the like on the outer peripheral inner edge of the lower surface of the upper substrate 11.

  Further, a portion of the lower substrate 13 having a thin film such as indium tin oxide formed on the entire upper surface is masked where a plurality of lower conductive layers 14 are provided, and immersed in a predetermined etching solution to remove unnecessary thin films. Then, a plurality of lower conductive layers 14 are formed on the upper surface of the lower substrate 13.

  Thereafter, the upper substrate 11 and the lower substrate 13 are bonded together by the spacer 15, and the end portion of the wiring substrate 16 coated with the anisotropic conductive adhesive on the lower surface is connected to the outer peripheral front end of the upper substrate 11 and the lower substrate 13. The touch panel is completed by sandwiching it between the ends and heat-pressing it to bond and connect the wiring patterns of the plurality of wiring boards 16 to the front ends and rear ends of the plurality of lower conductive layers 14.

  That is, in the present invention, since the upper conductive layer 12 is provided on the entire lower surface of the upper substrate 11, it is not necessary to perform etching or the like on the upper substrate 11, and it is necessary to form an upper electrode or the like by printing or the like. Therefore, it can be easily manufactured and a touch panel can be constructed at low cost.

  The touch panel configured as described above is disposed on the front surface of a display element such as a liquid crystal display element and attached to an electronic device, and the front and rear ends of a plurality of wiring patterns on the wiring board 16 are connected connectors. The input device is configured by being electrically connected to a microcomputer (not shown) of an electronic circuit of the device by soldering or the like.

  In the above configuration, while viewing the display of the display element on the back surface of the touch panel through the light transmitting portion 11A of the upper substrate 11, as shown in, for example, the partial perspective view of FIG. When the part is pressed with a finger or a pen, the upper substrate 11 bends, and the upper conductive layer 12 at the pressed part contacts, for example, the lower conductive layers 14A and 14B behind the plurality of lower conductive layers 14.

  At this time, the electronic circuit first sets the resistance value between two adjacent lower conductive layers 14 via the wiring pattern of the wiring board 16, for example, between the lower conductive layers 14 A and 14 B. Each resistance value is detected sequentially, such as between the conductive layers 14B and 14C, and when a predetermined resistance value is detected between the lower conductive layers 14A and 14B, a pressing operation is performed thereby, The electronic circuit detects that the conductive layers 14A and 14B are connected by the upper conductive layer 12, that is, the operation position of the arrow A in the left-right direction.

  Thereafter, the electronic circuit applies a predetermined voltage to one of the places where the predetermined resistance value is detected, for example, a voltage of 5 V is applied to the front and rear ends of the lower conductive layer 14A, and the voltage detected from the other adjacent one. For example, the electronic circuit detects that the rear side between the lower conductive layers 14A and 14B has been pressed by the voltage of 4V detected from the lower conductive layer 14B, that is, the operation position in the front-rear direction of the arrow A.

  That is, when, for example, a plurality of menus and the like are displayed on the display element on the back surface of the touch panel, when the upper surface of the upper substrate 11 on the desired menu, for example, the position indicated by the arrow A is pressed, first a plurality of lower The electronic circuit detects the operation position in the left-right direction based on the resistance value between the conductive layers 14, and then the operation position in the front-rear direction based on the voltage output from the other when a voltage is applied to one side. A desired menu can be selected from the inside.

  Further, when the location indicated by the arrow A is pressed as described above and another location indicated by the arrow B, for example, is pressed as shown in FIG. Of the plurality of lower conductive layers 14, for example, the lower conductive layers 14D and 14E are in contact with the front.

  In this case as well, the electronic circuit detects the operation position in the left-right direction of the arrow B based on a predetermined resistance value detected between the lower conductive layers 14D and 14E, and 5 V at the front and rear ends of the lower conductive layer 14D. The electronic circuit detects the operation position in front of the lower conductive layers 14D and 14E, that is, in the front-rear direction of the arrow B, based on the voltage of 2 V detected from the adjacent lower conductive layer 14E.

  That is, by detecting the operation position in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction based on the resistance value between the plurality of substantially strip-shaped lower conductive layers 14 and the voltage output from the other when a voltage is applied to one, the arrow A In addition to the pressing operation for each location such as A and B, a plurality of pressing positions can be detected as in the case where the arrows A and B are simultaneously pressed.

  That is, by providing the upper conductive layer 12 on the entire lower surface of the upper substrate 11, it is not necessary to perform etching processing or the like on the upper substrate 11, it can be easily manufactured, a touch panel can be formed at low cost, and a plurality of strips can be formed. By arranging the lower conductive layer 14 on the upper surface of the lower substrate 13 at a predetermined interval, various operations such as detection of a plurality of pressing positions can be performed in addition to the pressing operation for each location.

  When detecting the operation position as described above, first, the resistance value between the plurality of lower conductive layers 14 was detected, and after detecting the operation position in the left-right direction, the resistance value was not detected. A voltage is not applied to the other lower conductive layer 14, but a voltage is applied only to the lower conductive layers 14A and 14D in which the resistance values are detected, and only the voltage from the lower conductive layers 14B and 14E is detected to detect the front-rear direction. By detecting the operation position, the detection time can be shortened and the position detection by the electronic circuit can be easily performed.

  In addition, although it takes a little time to manufacture the lower substrate 13, a pair of lower electrodes such as silver and carbon is formed on both ends of the plurality of lower conductive layers 14 by printing or the like, and the lower electrode and an anisotropic conductive adhesive are interposed therebetween. Thus, the adhesive connection between the plurality of lower conductive layers 14 and the wiring pattern of the wiring substrate 16 makes it possible to more reliably connect the lower conductive layer 14 and the wiring patterns.

  In the present invention, a dark decorative portion 11B having a substantially frame shape is integrally formed on the inner peripheral edge of the lower surface of the upper substrate 11, and the decorative portion 11B is simply bonded to the upper substrate 11 and the lower substrate 13. Since a touch panel provided with a touch panel can be formed, there is no need for separate parts such as a display sheet, the number of components is reduced, and there is no need to affix such a display sheet to the upper surface of the upper substrate 11, and assembly is easy. The touch panel can be configured at low cost.

  Further, by forming the outer dimension of the upper substrate 11 slightly larger than the outer periphery of the lower substrate 13 and forming the outer periphery to protrude outward from the lower substrate 13, the protruding lower surface of the upper substrate 11 is formed on the electronic device. It is also possible to attach the touch panel to the surface of the device in a flat state by attaching it to a housing (not shown).

  Furthermore, the display element on the back of the touch panel was visually observed from above the upper substrate 11 through the translucent part 11A by forming the inner periphery of the substantially frame-shaped decoration part 11B so as to protrude inward from the inner periphery of the spacer 15. At this time, the end of the wiring substrate 16 connected to the lower conductive layer 14 becomes difficult to see, so that the display on the display element on the back surface is easy to see and the operation can be made easier.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the upper conductive layer 12 is provided on the entire lower surface of the upper substrate 11 and a plurality of lower conductive layers 14 having a substantially band shape are arranged on the upper surface of the lower substrate 13 at predetermined intervals. The upper conductive layer 12 on the lower surface of the upper substrate 11 does not need to be etched, and it is not necessary to form an upper electrode or the like by printing. Since a plurality of pressed positions can be detected by the layer 14, a touch panel that can be operated in various ways at low cost can be obtained.

(Embodiment 2)
A second embodiment of the present invention, particularly the invention according to claim 2 will be described.

  In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part of the structure same as the structure of Embodiment 1, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view of the touch panel according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, a plurality of substantially band-like and light-transmitting materials such as indium tin oxide and tin oxide on the upper surface of the light-transmitting lower substrate 13 are shown. The lower conductive layer 14 is provided by a sputtering method or the like with a width of, for example, about 1 to 2 mm, as in the first embodiment, but the lower conductive layers 14A, 14B, 14C, etc. Arranged at different intervals.

  That is, for example, the distance between the lower conductive layers 14B and 14C is larger than the distance between the lower conductive layers 14A and 14B, and the distance between the lower conductive layers 14C and 14D is larger.

  Then, a predetermined number, for example, four lower conductive layers 14A to 14D are formed as a set, and these are placed one by one by the wiring pattern of the wiring board 16 or the lower electrode formed on the upper surface of the lower board 13. For example, the front and rear ends of the lower conductive layers 14A and 14C are connected by the wiring patterns 17A and 17B, and the front and rear ends of the lower conductive layers 14B and 14D are connected by the wiring patterns 17C and 17D, respectively.

  An upper substrate 11 having a light transmissive upper conductive layer 12 made of indium tin oxide or the like formed on the entire bottom surface thereof is formed above the lower substrate 13 by spacers 15 as shown in FIGS. Embodiment 1 The upper conductive layer 12 and the plurality of lower conductive layers 14 are opposed to each other with a predetermined gap therebetween, and a plurality of wiring boards 16 are adhesively connected to the front and rear ends to form a touch panel. It is the same as the case of.

  Further, the touch panel configured as described above is disposed on the front surface of a display element such as a liquid crystal display element and attached to an electronic device, and a plurality of lower conductive layers 14 are provided via a plurality of wiring patterns of the wiring board 16. As in the case of the first embodiment, the input device is configured by electrically connecting the front and rear ends of the device to a microcomputer (not shown) of an electronic circuit of the device.

  In the above configuration, when, for example, a portion A on the upper surface of the upper substrate 11 is pressed with a finger or a pen, the upper substrate 11 is bent, and the upper conductive layer 12 in the pressed portion is a plurality of lower conductive layers 14. For example, the lower conductive layers 14A and 14B are in contact with the rear, and thereby the lower conductive layers 14A and 14B are connected.

  At this time, the electronic circuit first determines the resistance value between the wiring patterns in which the plurality of lower conductive layers 14 are alternately connected, for example, the wiring pattern 17A in which the lower conductive layers 14A and 14C are connected, and the lower conductive layer 14B. And a resistance value between wiring patterns 17C connected to 14D and a resistance value between wiring patterns (not shown) connected to the lower conductive layer 14E and the like are sequentially detected.

  Next, the detected resistance value is used to detect which part of the lower conductive layer 14 in which each set of four is pressed, and the resistance value is, for example, a predetermined value depending on the magnitude of the resistance value. By the following, the electronic circuit detects that the pressing operation has been performed between the lower conductive layers 14A and 14B having a small interval, that is, the operation position in the left-right direction of the pressing portion A.

  That is, for example, when the portion B is pressed and the lower conductive layers 14C and 14D are connected by the upper conductive layer 12, the interval between the lower conductive layers 14C and 14D is large, so the wiring patterns 17A and 17C The resistance value between the wiring patterns 17A and 17C becomes small when the portion A is pressed and the lower conductive layers 14A and 14B having a small interval are connected. Therefore, the electronic circuit detects whether the pressed location is A or B based on the magnitude of the resistance value.

  Further, after that, the electronic circuit applies a predetermined voltage to one of the wiring patterns in which the resistance value is detected, for example, a voltage of 5 V is applied to the front and rear ends of the lower conductive layer 14A via the wiring patterns 17A and 17B. The fact that the back of the lower conductive layers 14A and 14B has been pressed by the voltage detected from the other adjacent one, for example, the voltage of 4V detected from the lower conductive layer 14B via the wiring pattern 17C, that is, the pressed location The electronic circuit detects the operation position of A in the front-rear direction.

  That is, when detecting the operation position in the left-right direction, a predetermined number of, for example, four, is compared to the case of the first embodiment in which the resistance values between two adjacent lower conductive layers 14 are sequentially detected. Each lower conductive layer 14A-14D is formed as a set by wiring patterns 17A, 17C, etc., and detection is performed by these resistance values, so that the electronic circuit can be operated in the horizontal direction in a short time. The position can be detected.

  That is, by providing the upper conductive layer 12 on the entire lower surface of the upper substrate 11, it can be easily manufactured and a touch panel can be formed at a low cost, and by arranging a plurality of lower conductive layers 14 at different intervals, for example Since the pressing position can be detected by making the conductive layers 14A to 14D as a set, the operation position can be detected in a short time.

  In the above description, a configuration has been described in which a plurality of lower conductive layers 14, for example, lower conductive layers 14A to 14D are arranged at different intervals. However, as shown in the plan view of FIG. It is possible to implement the present invention even if the components are formed with different widths.

  In other words, in the same figure, the plurality of lower conductive layers 14 provided on the upper surface of the lower substrate 13 have the same interval, but have different width dimensions, for example, the lower conductive layer 14F is formed to have the largest width. The lower conductive layers 14G, 14H, and 14J are arranged in order of decreasing width.

  Further, a predetermined number of, for example, four lower conductive layers 14F to 14J are formed as a set, and these are alternately formed by the wiring pattern of the wiring board 16 and the lower electrode, for example, lower conductive layers 14F and 14H. The front and rear ends are connected by wiring patterns 17E and 17F, and the lower conductive layers 14G and 14J are connected by front and rear ends by wiring patterns 17G and 17H, respectively.

  In the above configuration, when, for example, a portion A on the upper surface of the upper substrate 11 is pressed with a finger or a pen, the upper substrate 11 is bent, and the upper conductive layer 12 in the pressed portion is a plurality of lower conductive layers 14. For example, the lower conductive layers 14F and 14G are contacted behind, and thereby the lower conductive layers 14F and 14G are connected.

  The electronic circuit first determines the resistance value between the wiring patterns in which the plurality of lower conductive layers 14 are connected every other line, for example, the wiring pattern 17E in which the lower conductive layers 14F and 14H are connected at the front ends, and the lower conductive layers 14G and 14J. The resistance value between the wiring patterns 17H to which the rear ends are connected and the resistance value between wiring patterns (not shown) to which the lower conductive layer 14K and the like are connected are sequentially detected.

  At this time, the electronic circuit may detect the resistance value between the wiring pattern 17F connecting the rear ends of the lower conductive layers 14F and 14H and the wiring pattern 17G connecting the front ends of the lower conductive layers 14G and 14J. Good.

  Next, the detected resistance value is used to detect which part of the lower conductive layer 14 in which each set of four is pressed, and the resistance value is, for example, a predetermined value depending on the magnitude of the resistance value. By the following, the electronic circuit detects that the lower conductive layers 14F and 14G have been pressed, that is, the operation position in the left-right direction of the pressed location A.

  That is, for example, when the portion B is pressed and the lower conductive layers 14H and 14J are connected by the upper conductive layer 12, the widths of the lower conductive layers 14H and 14J are small, and therefore, between the wiring patterns 17E and 17H. However, if the portion A is pressed and the lower conductive layers 14F and 14G having a large width are connected, the resistance value between the wiring patterns 17E and 17H becomes small. The electronic circuit detects whether the pressed portion is A or B based on the magnitude of the resistance value.

  Further, after that, the electronic circuit applies a predetermined voltage to one of the wiring patterns in which the resistance value is detected, for example, a voltage of 5 V is applied to the front and rear ends of the lower conductive layer 14F via the wiring patterns 17E and 17F. The fact that the back of the lower conductive layers 14F and 14G has been pressed by the voltage detected from the other adjacent one, for example, the voltage of 4V detected from the lower conductive layer 14G via the wiring pattern 17H, that is, the pressed location The electronic circuit detects the operation position of A in the front-rear direction.

  At this time, when the operation position is detected not with the wiring patterns 17E and 17H but with the resistance value between the wiring patterns 17E and 17G as described above, the position A is pressed and the width is large. Since the resistance value when the lower conductive layers 14F and 14G rear are connected and the resistance value when the portion B is pressed and the lower conductive layers 14H and 14J having a small width are connected are approximated, It becomes difficult to detect whether the pressed location is A or B.

  Therefore, when the plurality of lower conductive layers 14F to 14J having different widths are formed at the same interval in this way, the front and rear ends are not the front end wiring patterns 17E and 17G or the rear end 17F and 17H. By performing detection between the wiring patterns 17E and 17H or between the wiring patterns 17G and 17F, it is possible to detect the operation position with reliability as described above.

  That is, even when the plurality of lower conductive layers 14 having different widths are arranged at the same interval as described above, the same as the case where the plurality of lower conductive layers 14 having the same width are arranged at different intervals as described above. Since the number of, for example, four lower conductive layers 14F to 14J can be detected as a set and the pressed position can be detected, the operation position in the left-right direction can be detected in a short time.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, by providing the upper conductive layer 12 on the entire lower surface of the upper substrate 11, the touch panel can be easily formed at a low cost, and a plurality of lower conductive layers on the upper surface of the lower substrate 13 can be formed. By forming the layer 14 with different widths or intervals, it is possible to detect the pressing position of a plurality of lower conductive layers 14F to 14J and 14A to 14D having different widths and intervals as a set. Detection can be performed.

  In the above description, a configuration in which a plurality of linear lower conductive layers 14 are arranged on the upper surface of the lower substrate 13 has been described. However, as shown in the plan view of FIG. The lower conductive layer 18A, the lower conductive layer 18B in which a substantially rectangular shape is connected as shown in FIG. 6B, or a combination of a substantially strip shape and a substantially rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 6C. The present invention can be implemented even with a configuration in which various shapes such as the lower conductive layer 18C are formed in a substantially band shape.

(Embodiment 3)
The third embodiment of the present invention will be described in particular.

  In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part of the structure same as the structure of Embodiment 1 and 2, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a touch panel according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a plan view of the touch panel. In FIG. 7, the upper surface of the light-transmitting lower substrate 13 is made of indium tin oxide, tin oxide or the like. The plurality of lower conductive layers 19 that are band-like and light-transmissive are arranged in the same width, for example, about 1 to 2 mm, and arranged at a predetermined interval, for example, about 0.2 mm, by sputtering or the like. Although the same as in the case of the first embodiment, the end portions of the lower conductive layers 19A, 19B, 19C, etc., in which the resistance value in the front-rear direction is set to a predetermined value, for example, a resistance value around 15 kΩ, are oxidized. A resistor 20 having a predetermined resistance value is provided by indium tin, carbon, or the like.

  That is, for example, a resistor 20A having a resistance value of about 45 kΩ is provided at the front end of the lower conductive layer 19A, a resistor 20B of about 30 kΩ is provided at the front end of the lower conductive layer 19B, and a resistor 20C of about 15 kΩ is provided at the rear end. A resistor 20C of about 15 kΩ is formed at the front end of the conductive layer 19C, a resistor 20B of about 30 kΩ is formed at the rear end, and a resistor 20A of about 45 kΩ is formed at the rear end of the lower conductive layer 19D.

  Even if such a resistor 20 is formed so that a predetermined resistance value can be obtained by narrowing the width of indium tin oxide or the like at the end of the lower conductive layer 19, carbon or the like is formed at the end of the lower conductive layer 19. Or a chip-shaped fixed resistor mounted on the wiring pattern of the wiring board 16 or the like.

  Then, a predetermined number of, for example, four lower conductive layers 19A to 19D are formed in one set, and these are placed one by one by the wiring pattern of the wiring substrate 16 or the lower electrode formed on the upper surface of the lower substrate 13. For example, the front and rear ends of the lower conductive layers 19A and 19C are connected by the wiring patterns 17J and 17K, and the front and rear ends of the lower conductive layers 19B and 19D are connected by the wiring patterns 17L and 17M, respectively.

  Note that the upper substrate 11 having a light transmissive upper conductive layer 12 such as indium tin oxide formed on the entire lower surface above the lower substrate 13 and a substantially frame-shaped decorative portion 11B provided on the inner periphery of the outer periphery. The upper conductive layer 12 and the plurality of lower conductive layers 19 face each other with a predetermined gap, and the plurality of wiring boards 16 are bonded and connected to the front and rear ends to constitute a touch panel. This is the same as in the first and second embodiments.

  In addition, the touch panel configured as described above is disposed on the front surface of a display element such as a liquid crystal display element and attached to an electronic device, and a plurality of lower conductive layers 19 are provided via a plurality of wiring patterns of the wiring substrate 16. As in the case of the first and second embodiments, the front and rear ends are electrically connected to a microcomputer (not shown) of the electronic circuit of the device and the like to constitute the input device.

  In the above configuration, when, for example, a portion A on the upper surface of the upper substrate 11 is pressed with a finger or a pen, the upper substrate 11 bends, and the upper conductive layer 12 of the pressed portion is a plurality of lower conductive layers 19. For example, the lower conductive layers 19A and 19B are in contact with the rear, and thereby the lower conductive layers 19A and 19B are connected.

  At this time, the electronic circuit first determines the resistance value between the wiring patterns in which a plurality of lower conductive layers 19 are connected every other line, for example, the wiring pattern 17J in which the front ends of the lower conductive layers 19A and 19C are connected, and the lower conductive layer The resistance value between the wiring pattern 17L connecting the front ends of 19B and 19D and the resistance value between the wiring patterns (not shown) connecting the lower conductive layer 19E and the like are sequentially detected. It is detected which set of the lower conductive layer 19 as a set is pressed.

  Thereafter, the electronic circuit applies a predetermined voltage to one of the wiring patterns in which the resistance value is detected, for example, a voltage of 5 V is applied to the front and rear ends of the lower conductive layer 19A via the wiring patterns 17J and 17K. That the back of the lower conductive layers 19A and 19B has been pressed by the voltage detected from the other adjacent one, for example, the voltage detected from the lower conductive layer 19B via the wiring pattern 17L, that is, the pressing point A The electronic circuit simultaneously detects the operation positions in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction.

  That is, for example, when the portion B is pressed and the lower conductive layers 19C and 19D are connected by the upper conductive layer 12, the lower conductive layer 19C and the resistor 20C at the front and rear ends are connected from the wiring pattern 17L. And the resistance ratio of the front end resistor 20C with respect to the sum of the resistance values of 20B is output as a voltage.

  On the other hand, when the position A is pressed, the resistance value of the lower conductive layer 19A up to the position A and the front end of the lower conductive layer 19A and the sum of the resistance values of the front end resistor 20A are reduced. Since the resistance ratio of the sum of the resistors 20A is output as a voltage from the wiring pattern 17L, depending on the difference in voltage value, whether the pressed location is A or B, that is, the operation position in the left-right direction is set as an electronic circuit. Will detect.

  For example, when the portion C is pressed, the resistance ratio of the front end resistor 20A to the sum of the resistance values of the entire lower conductive layer 19A and the front end resistor 20A is a voltage from the wiring pattern 17L. As a result, the electronic circuit detects whether the pressed position is A or C, that is, the operation position in the front-rear direction.

  That is, a predetermined number of, for example, four lower conductive layers 19A to 19D are formed in one set by the wiring patterns 17J and 17L, and the electronic circuit roughly detects which set by these resistance values. Then, a voltage is applied to a predetermined lower conductive layer 19, and the left and right directions are determined by the voltage output from the resistance of each lower conductive layer 19 itself and the resistance ratio of each resistor 20 provided at the front end and rear end. The electronic circuit is configured to detect the operation position in the front-rear direction at the same time.

  That is, by providing the upper conductive layer 12 on the entire lower surface of the upper substrate 11, it can be easily manufactured and a touch panel can be formed at a low cost, and different resistances are provided at the ends of the plurality of lower conductive layers 19A to 19D. By providing the value resistors 20A to 20C, it is possible to simultaneously detect the operation positions in the two directions of the right and left directions orthogonal to each other, and the electronic circuit can detect the operation position in a short time. ing.

  In the above description, the structure in which the upper conductive layer 12 such as indium tin oxide or tin oxide is formed on the entire lower surface of the upper substrate 11 by sputtering or the like has been described. However, a conductive resin such as polythiophene or polyaniline, or A structure in which a plurality of thin conductive metal wires such as silver are dispersed in an ultraviolet curable resin such as acrylic and these are printed or coated on the lower surface of the upper substrate 11 to form a light transmissive upper conductive layer 12 is used. Thus, the touch panel can be formed at a lower cost.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the upper conductive layer 12 is provided on the entire lower surface of the upper substrate 11 so that it can be easily manufactured, a touch panel can be formed at a low cost, and a plurality of lower conductive layers 19A to 19D ends. By providing the resistors 20 </ b> A to 20 </ b> C in the part, it is possible to detect the operation position in the two directions of the right and left direction and the front and rear direction orthogonal to each other, so that the operation position can be detected in a short time.

  The touch panel according to the present invention has an advantageous effect that it can be easily manufactured, can be obtained at low cost and can be operated in various ways, and is mainly useful for operation of various electronic devices.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Upper substrate 11A Translucent part 11B Decorating part 12 Upper conductive layer 13 Lower substrate 14, 14A-14K Lower conductive layer 15 Spacer 16 Wiring board 17A-17M Wiring pattern 18A-18C Lower conductive layer 19, 19A-19E Lower conductive layer 20, 20A-20C resistor

Claims (3)

An upper substrate having an upper conductive layer formed on the lower surface, and a lower substrate having an upper conductive layer formed on the upper surface and facing the upper conductive layer with a predetermined gap therebetween. The upper conductive layer is formed on the lower surface of the upper substrate. A touch panel provided on the entire surface and having a plurality of lower conductive layers arranged in a substantially band shape on the upper surface of the lower substrate at predetermined intervals. The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of lower conductive layers are formed with different widths or intervals. The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein a resistor is provided at an end of the lower conductive layer.

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