JP2012154629A - Attaching structure for electrostatic sensor sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an attaching structure for an electrostatic sensor sheet by which degradation in detection accuracy of the electrostatic sensor sheet due to generation of bubbles may be suppressed and the electrostatic sensor sheet may be rapidly and easily attached.SOLUTION: An attaching structure comprises an insulative housing 1 three-dimensionally molded and a flexible electrostatic sensor sheet 10 including a conductive layer stacked on a base film layer 12 and disposed inside the housing 1. When a finger 3 comes, through the housing 1, close to an arbitrary electrode pattern selected from a plurality of electrode patterns included in the conductive layer of the electrostatic sensor sheet 10, change in electrostatic capacity is detected. The attaching structure further comprises a hard attaching plate 20 for providing the electrostatic sensor sheet 10 on an inner face 2 of the housing 1; and an elastic body 21 that is disposed on an opposing face of the attaching plate 20 opposing the electrostatic sensor sheet 10 with a gap provided therebetween, is in contact with the electrostatic sensor sheet 10 under pressure and opposes merely the plurality of electrode patterns of the conductive layer.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrostatic sensor sheet mounting structure used for home appliances, automobile-mounted components, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a conventional electrostatic sensor sheet mounting structure is a flexible structure in which a conductive layer is formed on the surface of a base film layer on the inner surface 2 of an insulating housing 1 formed in three dimensions. A thin electrostatic sensor sheet 10 is attached via an adhesive. The electrostatic sensor sheet 10 is manually attached to the inner surface 2 of the housing 1 after an adhesive is applied to the entire surface.

  When the user's finger 3 approaches the arbitrary electrode pattern among the plurality of electrode patterns forming the conductive layer through the housing 1, the electrostatic sensor sheet 10 has an arbitrary electrode pattern and the user's finger 3. The capacitance changes, and this change in capacitance is detected (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2006-242883 A JP 2000-230983 A

  In the conventional mounting structure of the electrostatic sensor sheet, the electrostatic sensor sheet 10 is simply attached to the inner surface 2 of the housing 1 with an adhesive as described above. There are cases where unpredictable bubbles 30 are irregularly formed between the electrode pattern portions of the electrostatic sensor sheet 10. When the bubble 30 is generated, the electrostatic sensor sheet 10 is partially separated from the inner surface 2 of the housing 1, so that the distance between the electrode pattern and the user's finger 3 is increased, and the detection accuracy of the electrode pattern is lowered. Arise.

  As a means for solving such a problem, a method of sticking the electrostatic sensor sheet 10 to the inner surface 2 of the housing 1 in a vacuum state and bringing it into close contact is conceivable. However, when this method is adopted, expensive equipment is indispensable, and since it must be in a vacuum state, there is a possibility that the installation work may be complicated and delayed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides a mounting structure for an electrostatic sensor sheet that can prevent the detection accuracy of the electrostatic sensor sheet from being lowered due to the generation of bubbles and can be easily and quickly operated. It is an object.

In the present invention, in order to solve the above problems, a flexible electrostatic sensor sheet in which a conductive layer is formed on a base layer is built in an insulating housing, and the conductive layer of the electrostatic sensor sheet is formed. Among a plurality of electrode patterns, when a finger approaches an arbitrary electrode pattern through a housing, a change in capacitance is detected,
A mounting plate for laminating an electrostatic sensor sheet on the inner surface of the housing is provided, and a plurality of electrodes of the conductive layer are pressed against the electrostatic sensor sheet on a facing surface of the mounting plate facing the electrostatic sensor sheet via a gap. An elastic body facing the pattern is attached.

The housing is three-dimensionally formed, and a concave portion for positioning is formed on one of the inner surface and the electrostatic sensor sheet, and a convex portion is formed on the other, so that the concave portion and the convex portion can be fitted to each other. A support portion for the mounting plate can be formed on the housing.
Moreover, the adhesive tape for temporary fixing which has slight adhesiveness can be adhere | attached on the peripheral part of the opposing surface etc. which oppose the housing inner surface of an electrostatic sensor sheet | seat.

  Here, the housing in the scope of claims includes, for example, a cover or a cover of a case constituting various devices, and is three-dimensionally formed into a substantially C-shaped, L-shaped, U-shaped, dish-shaped, hat-shaped, etc. Can do. The inner surface of the housing is not particularly limited to a flat surface, a curved surface, or an uneven surface. The conductive layer of the electrostatic sensor sheet can be formed on the front surface, the back surface, or the front and back surfaces of the base material layer. Moreover, it is preferable that an elastic body has insulation from a viewpoint of improving a detection precision, and opposes only the several electrode pattern of a conductive layer. As this elastic body, an elastic sponge having a low dielectric constant can be used.

According to the present invention, when the electrostatic sensor sheet is attached to the housing, the electrostatic sensor sheet is stacked on the inner surface of the housing, the attachment plate is attached to the housing, and a plurality of elastic bodies are pressed against the electrostatic sensor sheet, If the elastic body is opposed to the plurality of electrode patterns of the conductive layer, the electrostatic sensor sheet can be attached in the housing.
Since the electrode pattern portion is brought into maximum contact with the inner surface of the housing by the elastic body being pressed against the inner surface of the housing, it is possible to suppress the generation of bubbles or gaps between the inner surface of the housing and the electrode pattern portion of the electrostatic sensor sheet.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the detection accuracy of the electrostatic sensor sheet built in the housing from being lowered with the generation of bubbles, and to easily and quickly work.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the electrostatic sensor sheet can be positioned at a predetermined location on the inner surface of the housing to effectively prevent displacement in the front-rear and left-right directions. Moreover, it can prevent that an elastic body leaves | separates from an electrostatic sensor sheet | seat, or a mounting plate shakes by removing a mounting plate from a housing.

It is a section explanatory view showing typically the embodiment of the attachment structure of the electrostatic sensor sheet concerning the present invention. It is a section explanatory view showing typically the electrostatic sensor sheet in the embodiment of the attachment structure of the electrostatic sensor sheet according to the present invention. It is a section explanatory view showing typically an attachment board and an elastic body in an embodiment of an attachment structure of an electrostatic sensor sheet concerning the present invention. It is a section explanatory view showing typically the 2nd embodiment of the attachment structure of the electrostatic sensor sheet concerning the present invention. It is sectional explanatory drawing which shows typically the attachment structure of the conventional electrostatic sensor sheet | seat.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. An electrostatic sensor sheet mounting structure according to the present embodiment has a flexible thin structure in an insulating housing 1 as shown in FIGS. The mounting structure includes the electrostatic sensor sheet 10, and includes a hard mounting plate 20 that presses the electrostatic sensor sheet 10 on the inner inner surface 2 of the housing 1. The mounting plate 20 is pressed against the electrostatic sensor sheet 10. A plurality of elastically deformable elastic bodies 21 are arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 1 is not particularly limited. For example, the housing 1 corresponds to a center console of a four-wheeled vehicle, and a molding material containing a predetermined resin (polycarbonate, polyamide alloy, polyphenylene ether, etc.). Is injection molded into a three-dimensional shape having a substantially U-shaped cross section, and the user's finger 3 contacts the surface for operation.

  The housing 1 is formed with a required number of protrusions 4 for positioning at the center of the recessed inner inner surface 2 and the like, and this protrusion 4 functions to position the electrostatic sensor sheet 10 for the convenience of attachment work. To do. In addition, a support piece 5 having a cross-sectional plate shape is provided in the lower part of the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the housing 1 so as to be supported in such a manner that it does not tilt due to interference with the peripheral edge of the mounting plate 20.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electrostatic sensor sheet 10 has an insulating base film layer 12, and a plurality of electrode patterns 14 and conductive lead lines 15 are formed on the base film layer 12. The conductive layer 13 and the insulating protective cover layer 16 that covers the conductive layer 13 and contacts the inner surface 2 of the housing 1 are formed. The electrostatic sensor sheet 10 has a required number of through holes 11 for positioning, and the through holes 11 are penetrated by the convex portions 4 of the housing 1 to exert a positioning action.

  As the base film layer 12, for example, a bendable thin film made of polyethylene terephthalate having excellent heat resistance, strength, and the like is used, and finally, the base film layer 12 is formed in a substantially plane T shape.

  The conductive layer 13 includes a plurality of electrode patterns 14 arranged and arranged at predetermined intervals on the surface of the base film layer 12, and conductive lead lines 15 are integrally formed on the periphery of the plurality of electrode patterns 14. . The conductive layer 13 is formed by a screen printing method using a conductive polymer, silver paste, carbon, or the like in consideration of, for example, the degree of freedom of film thickness, versatility, and the like, and transparency is selectively imparted. Each electrode pattern 14 is formed in a plane rectangle in consideration of the size of the user's finger 3 approaching, and the leading end portion of the conductive lead line 15 is connected to the rear of the peripheral portion.

  The plurality of conductive routing lines 15 are each formed in a long and narrow line, and are gathered at one place at a predetermined interval. Each conductive routing line 15 is bent and formed in a substantially L-shaped plane or elongated in a substantially I-shape depending on the position of the electrode pattern 14 to be connected, and the end portion is exposed from the end of the protective cover layer 16. Used for connection with other electronic circuits.

  The protective cover layer 16 is made of, for example, a transparent film made of polyethylene terephthalate or acrylic resin having excellent weather resistance and workability, and is laminated and adhered to the surface of the base film layer 12 via an adhesive or an adhesive sheet. The plurality of electrode patterns 14 of the conductive layer 13 and most of the conductive routing lines 15 are effectively covered and protected. This protective cover layer 16 is finally formed in a substantially plane T shape like the base film layer 12, and an adhesive tape 17 for temporary fixing to the inner surface 2 of the housing 1 is selectively formed on the peripheral edge of the surface or the like. Adhere to. The adhesive tape 17 is formed into a frame shape or an elongated paper piece shape as necessary.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the mounting plate 20 is formed into a flat plate larger than the electrostatic sensor sheet 10 by a molding material containing a predetermined resin (polycarbonate, polyether ether ketone, polyether sulfone, etc.), for example. It is molded, is detachably supported by the support piece 5 of the housing 1, and opposes the back surface of the electrostatic sensor sheet 10, that is, the base film layer 12 through a gap. The mounting plate 20 is formed flat or bent according to the shape of the inner surface 2 of the housing 1.

  As shown in the figure, the plurality of elastic bodies 21 are formed using, for example, various elastomers such as urethane and silicone, and are arranged appropriately on the surface of the mounting plate 20 facing the base film layer 12 of the electrostatic sensor sheet 10. Glued. The plurality of elastic bodies 21 are made of solid rubber, gel, sponge (foam) or the like, but since a low dielectric constant is preferable, use of sponge is optimal.

  An air layer is defined between the plurality of elastic bodies 21 so as not to adversely affect the capacitance. Each elastic body 21 is formed into a planar circle, rectangle, polygon, or the like according to the shape of the electrode pattern 14, and indirectly faces the electrode pattern 14 via the base film layer 12, whereby the inner surface of the housing 1. 2. The electrode pattern 14 is brought into close contact with the protective cover layer 16 with no gap therebetween.

  In the above configuration, when the electrostatic sensor sheet 10 is attached to the housing 1, first, the protective cover layer 16 of the electrostatic sensor sheet 10 is overlapped on the inner surface 2 of the housing 1 so that the convex portion 4 and the through hole 11 are mutually connected. The mounting plate 20 is fixedly supported inside the housing 1 via the support piece 5, and a plurality of elastic bodies 21 are pressed against the base film layer 12 of the electrostatic sensor sheet 10. If the elastic body 21 is indirectly opposed to the electrode pattern 14 via the base film layer 12, the electrostatic sensor sheet 10 can be attached to the housing 1.

  The electrostatic sensor sheet 10 built in the housing 1 is configured such that, when the user's finger 3 approaches and opposes an arbitrary selected electrode pattern 14 among the plurality of electrode patterns 14 forming the conductive layer 13 via the housing 1. The electrostatic capacitance between the arbitrary electrode pattern 14 and the user's finger 3 changes, and this change in electrostatic capacitance is detected to contribute to the input operation of a predetermined device.

  According to the above configuration, since the elastic body 21 is brought into close contact with the inner surface 2 of the housing 1 as much as possible, the electrode pattern 14 is placed between the inner surface 2 of the housing 1 and the electrode pattern 14 portion of the electrostatic sensor sheet 10. The generation of the bubbles 30 can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the electrostatic sensor sheet 10 from being partially separated from the inner surface 2 of the housing 1 and reducing the detection accuracy of the electrode pattern 14. In addition, since it is not necessary to secure the vacuum state and bring the electrostatic sensor sheet 10 into close contact with the inner surface 2 of the housing 1, no expensive equipment such as a vacuum pump is required, and the work can be simplified and speeded up. Can do.

  Further, since it is not necessary to apply the adhesive to the entire surface of the protective cover layer 16, the air flow is not hindered by the application of the adhesive, and the inner surface 2 of the housing 1 and the electrostatic sensor sheet 10 are not affected. Air can be quickly removed from the space, and installation work can be facilitated. Furthermore, since the elastic body 21 follows and deforms according to the shape of the inner surface 2 of the housing, good contact of the electrostatic sensor sheet 10 is expected even if the housing 1 and the inner surface 2 thereof are complicatedly three-dimensionally formed. it can.

  Next, FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In this case, a notch step portion 6 is formed in the lower part of the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the housing 1, and the notch step portion 6 and the support piece are formed. The peripheral edge of the mounting plate 20 is sandwiched between the two and closely fitted. The other parts are the same as those in the above embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  Also in this embodiment, the same effect as the above embodiment can be expected, and the peripheral edge of the mounting plate 20 is tightly held between the support piece 5 and the notch step portion 6, so Obviously, the mounting plate 20 can be effectively prevented from shifting or rattling.

  In the above embodiment, the peripheral portion of the mounting plate 20 that does not interfere with the detection of the finger 3 is supported by the support piece 5 or the notch step portion 6 of the housing 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the peripheral edge of the mounting plate 20 may be screwed onto the peripheral wall of the housing 1. Further, a concave portion is formed on one of the peripheral portions of the housing 1 and the mounting plate 20, and a convex portion is formed on the other, and the concave plate and the convex portion are fitted to each other to support the mounting plate 20. good.

  Further, the housing 1 is divided into a front-side housing and a back-side housing that are fitted to each other, and the mounting plate 20 is interposed between the front-side housing and the back-side housing so that the mounting plate 20 is attached to the back-side housing. It may be supported. Further, the surface of the elastic body 21 can be flattened or formed with irregularities as required.

  The attachment structure of the electrostatic sensor sheet according to the present invention can be used in fields such as home appliances, game machines, and automobile-mounted parts that are larger than portable devices.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Housing 2 Inner surface 3 Finger 4 Convex part 5 Support piece (support part)
6 Notch level difference part (support part)
10 Electrostatic sensor sheet 11 Through hole (concave)
12 Base film layer (base material layer)
13 Conductive layer 14 Electrode pattern 16 Protective cover layer 17 Adhesive tape 20 Mounting plate 21 Elastic body 30 Air bubble

Claims (2)

A flexible electrostatic sensor sheet in which a conductive layer is formed on a base layer is built in an insulating housing, and an arbitrary electrode pattern among a plurality of electrode patterns forming the conductive layer of the electrostatic sensor sheet An electrostatic sensor sheet mounting structure that detects a change in capacitance when a finger approaches the housing through a housing,
A mounting plate for laminating an electrostatic sensor sheet on the inner surface of the housing is provided, and a plurality of electrodes of the conductive layer are pressed against the electrostatic sensor sheet on a facing surface of the mounting plate facing the electrostatic sensor sheet via a gap. An attachment structure of an electrostatic sensor sheet, wherein an elastic body facing the pattern is attached.   A housing is three-dimensionally formed, and a concave portion for positioning is formed on one of the inner surface and the electrostatic sensor sheet, and a convex portion is formed on the other, and the concave portion and the convex portion can be fitted to each other. The electrostatic sensor sheet mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein a mounting portion for the mounting plate is formed on the electrostatic sensor sheet.

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