JP2013011966A - Input unit, display unit, and device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input unit, a display unit, and a device having improved reliability.SOLUTION: An input unit X1 includes: a substrate 2 having an operation surface 2a and a rear surface 2b positioned on the side opposite to the operation surface 2a; a protective member 8 provided on the operation surface 2a of the substrate 2; detection electrodes 3a and 4a provided on the rear surface 2b of the substrate 2; and wiring conductors 6 provided on the rear surface 2b of the substrate 2 and connected to the detection electrodes 3a and 4a. The thickness L1 of the protective member 8 at a portion corresponding to the positions of the wiring conductors 6 is greater than the thickness L2 of the protective member 8 at a portion corresponding to the positions of the detection electrodes 3a and 4a.

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device, a display device, and a device that detect, for example, a position input by a user as an input position.

  As an input device, for example, a capacitive touch panel that detects a change in capacitance between a finger and a detection electrode and detects an input position is known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). .

  Such an input device includes a base body, a detection electrode provided on the base body for detecting an input position, and a wiring conductor provided on the base body for applying a voltage to the detection electrode. And.

JP 2008-97283 A JP 2008-310551 A

  Since the above-mentioned wiring conductor applies a voltage to the detection electrode, if it is affected by noise from the outside, there is a possibility that the detection accuracy and detection sensitivity of the input position will be lowered in the input device. . When the detection accuracy and detection sensitivity of the input position are lowered, the reliability of the input device is lowered.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is related to an input device, a display device, and a device with improved reliability.

  One aspect of the input device of the present invention is provided on the first main surface of the base body having a first main surface and a second main surface located on the opposite side of the first main surface. A protective member; a detection electrode provided on the second main surface of the base; a wiring conductor provided on the second main surface of the base and electrically connected to the detection electrode; The thickness of the protective member corresponding to the part where the wiring conductor is located is larger than the thickness of the protective member corresponding to the part where the detection electrode is located.

  One aspect of the display device of the present invention includes the input device according to the present invention and a display panel disposed to face the input device.

  One aspect of the device of the present invention includes the display device according to the present invention in a device casing.

  The input device, the display device, and the device of the present invention have an effect that reliability is improved.

It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the input device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected along the cutting line II shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected along the cutting line II-II shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected along the cutting line III-III shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of a display apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of a portable terminal.

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

  However, for convenience of explanation, the drawings to be referred to below show simplified main members necessary for explaining the present invention, among the constituent members of one embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the input device, the display device, and the device according to the present invention may include arbitrary constituent members that are not shown in the drawings referred to in this specification.

As shown in FIG. 1, the input device X1 according to this embodiment is a capacitive type touch panel, an input region E _I capable input operation by the user, positioned outside the input region E _I And an outer region _EO . Instead of the capacitive touch panel, a resistive touch panel, a surface acoustic wave touch panel, an infrared touch panel, or an electromagnetic induction touch panel may be used.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the input device X <b> 1 includes a base 2.

Base 2, the first detection electrode 3a to be described later in the input region E _I, the first connection electrode 3b, the second detection electrode 4a, and it takes a roll for supporting the second connection electrode 4b, described later in the outer region E _O It is a member that plays a role of supporting the wiring conductor 6. The base 2 has an operation surface (first main surface) 2a and a back surface (second main surface) 2b located on the opposite side of the operation surface 2a. The base body 2 is configured to be able to appropriately transmit light in a direction intersecting the operation surface 2a and the back surface 2b, and to have an insulating property. Examples of the constituent material of the substrate 2 include those having translucency such as transparent glass or transparent plastic, among which transparent glass is preferable from the viewpoint of visibility. In addition, in this specification, translucency means having transparency with respect to visible light. Moreover, although the planar view shape of the base | substrate 2 which concerns on this embodiment is made into the substantially rectangular shape, it is not restricted to this. For example, it may be circular or polygonal.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, on the rear surface 2b of the substrate 2 corresponding to the input region E _I, a first detection electrode 3a, a first connection electrode 3b, a second detecting electrode 4a, the second connection An electrode 4b and an insulator 5 are provided.

First detection electrode 3a is finger F1 of the user close to the input region E _I, are those having a role to detect the input position in the Y direction, the ability to generate an electrostatic capacitance between the finger F1 have. That is, the first detection electrodes 3a are provided on the back surface 2b of the base 2 with a predetermined interval along the X direction. Here, from the viewpoint of improving the detection sensitivity, the first detection electrode 3a according to the present embodiment has a substantially rhombus shape in plan view, but is not limited thereto.

  The first connection electrode 3b is a member that plays a role of electrically connecting the adjacent first detection electrodes 3a. The first connection electrode 3 b is provided on the back surface 2 b of the base 2.

Second detection electrode 4a is a finger F1 of the user close to the input region E _I, are those having a role to detect the input position in the X direction, the ability to generate an electrostatic capacitance between the finger F1 have. That is, the second detection electrodes 4a are provided on the back surface 2b of the base 2 with a predetermined interval along the Y direction. Here, from the viewpoint of improving detection sensitivity, the second detection electrode 4a according to the present embodiment has a substantially rhombus shape in plan view, but is not limited thereto.

  The second connection electrode 4b is a member that plays a role of electrically connecting the adjacent second detection electrodes 4a. The second connection electrode 4b is provided on the insulator 5 so as to straddle the insulator 5 so as to be electrically insulated from the first connection electrode 3b. Here, the insulator 5 is provided on the back surface 2b of the base 2 so as to cover the first connection electrode 3b. Examples of the constituent material of the insulator 5 include a transparent resin such as an acrylic resin, an epoxy resin, or a silicone resin.

  Examples of the constituent material of the first detection electrode 3a, the first connection electrode 3b, the second detection electrode 4a, and the second connection electrode 4b include a conductive member having translucency. As the conductive member having translucency, for example, ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), IZO (Indium Zinc Oxide), ATO (Antimony Tin Oxide), AZO (Al-Doped Zinc Oxide), tin oxide, zinc oxide, or Examples thereof include conductive polymers (for example, PEDOT and PSS).

In addition, a wiring conductor 6 is provided on the back surface 2b of the base 2 corresponding to the outer region _EO .

  The wiring conductor 6 is a member that plays a role for applying a voltage to the first detection electrode 3a and the second detection electrode 4a. One end of the wiring conductor 6 is electrically connected to the first detection electrode 3a and the second detection electrode 4a, and the other end is located in the external conduction region G1. For example, the wiring conductor 6 is made of a metal thin film so as to be hard and have high shape stability. Examples of the metal thin film include an aluminum film, an aluminum alloy film, a laminated film of a chromium film and an aluminum film, a laminated film of a chromium film and an aluminum alloy film, a silver film, a silver alloy film, or a gold alloy film. . Examples of the method for forming the metal thin film include a sputtering method, a vapor deposition method, and a chemical vapor deposition method.

A protective film 7 is provided on the back surface 2b of the base 2 corresponding to the input area E _I and the outer area E _O.

  The protective film 7 is a member that plays a role in protecting the first detection electrode 3 a, the first connection electrode 3 b, the second detection electrode 4 a, the second connection electrode 4 b, the insulator 5, and the wiring conductor 6. For this reason, the protective film 7 is provided so as to cover these members. Examples of the constituent material of the protective film 7 include silicon dioxide and acrylic materials. Examples of the method for forming the protective film 7 include a transfer printing method, a spin coating method, and a slit coating method.

Further, a protective member 8 is provided on the operation surface 2a of the base 2 corresponding to the input area E _I and the outer area E _O.

  The protective member 8 includes a protective film 81, an adhesive material 82, and a decorating member 83.

  The protective film 81 is bonded to the operation surface 2 a of the base 2 through the adhesive material 82. As a result, the operation surface 2 a of the base 2 is protected by the protective film 81. Examples of the protective film 81 include a polyester film, a polypropylene film, and a polyethylene film. Instead of the protective film 81, a member such as glass or plastic formed with a small thickness may be used. Examples of the adhesive material 82 include an acrylic adhesive material, a silicone adhesive material, a rubber adhesive material, and a urethane adhesive material.

The decorating member 83 is a member that plays a role of decorating the outer region _EO of the protective film 5. In the present embodiment, the decorative member 83 is formed in a frame shape so as to surround the input region E _I. Moreover, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the decorating member 83 is provided in the site | part corresponding to the site | part in which the wiring conductor 6 is located. Specifically, the decorating member 83 is provided on the protective film 81 facing the portion where the wiring conductor 6 is located. In addition, the decorating member 83 may be provided on the operation surface 2a of the base 2 facing the portion where the wiring conductor 6 is located. Thereby, the possibility that the user can visually recognize the wiring conductor 6 can be reduced, and the visibility of the input device X1 is improved. As the decorative member 83, for example, a resin material such as polyvinyl chloride resin, polyamide resin, polyester resin, acrylic resin, urethane resin, or the like containing a pigment or dye of a predetermined color as a colorant Is mentioned. Examples of the method for forming the decorating member 83 include a screen printing method.

In the present embodiment, the thickness L1 of the protective member 8 corresponding to the part where the wiring conductor 6 is located is larger than the thickness L2 of the protective member 8 corresponding to the part where the detection electrodes 3a and 4a are located. Specifically, the thickness L1 of the protection member 8 corresponding to the outer region E _O is greater than the thickness L2 of the protective member 8 corresponding to the input region E _I. Since the thickness L1 of the protective member 8 is larger than the thickness L2 of the protective member 8, the influence of noise from the outside on the wiring conductor 6 can be reduced. For this reason, in the input device X1, the possibility that the detection accuracy and detection sensitivity of the input position will be reduced can be reduced.

That is, even the user's finger F1 which is a conductor may be a noise generation source. In this case, even if the user's finger F1 comes into contact with the outer region _EO , the thickness L1 of the protective member 8 is larger than the thickness L2 of the protective member 8. The influence of noise can be reduced. In addition, it is preferable that the thickness L1 of the protection member 8 exists in the range of 180-400 micrometers from a viewpoint of reducing the influence of noise. Here, in this embodiment, the thickness L1 of the protective member 8 is set to 195 μm. On the other hand, when the finger F1 of the user contacts the input region E _I, since the thickness L2 of the protection member 8 is smaller than the thickness L1 of the protective member 8, in the input device X1, to protect the operating surface 2a of the substrate 2 The input position can be detected with high sensitivity. From the viewpoint of detecting the input position with high sensitivity while protecting the operation surface 2a of the base 2, the thickness L2 of the protection member 8 is preferably in the range of 100 to 250 μm. Here, in this embodiment, the thickness L2 of the protective member 8 is set to 175 μm.

  In addition, you may set the decorating member 83 to a reference potential by making the decorating member 83 contain a conductive material or forming the decorating member 83 with a conductive material. If it does in this way, in the decorating member 83, the noise from the outside can be shielded to some extent. Since the external noise can be shielded to some extent in the decorative member 83, the influence of external noise on the wiring conductor 6 can be further reduced. In the input device X1, the decoration member 83 is more preferably set to the ground potential in order to further reduce the possibility that the detection accuracy and detection sensitivity of the input position will decrease.

  Further, the adhesive material 82 may contain a conductive material, or an adhesive material made of a conductive material may be used as the adhesive material 82. In this case, it has the same effect as the case where the decorating member 83 contains a conductive material.

Further, the thickness L1 of the protection member 8 corresponding to the outer region E _O, by increasing the difference between the thickness L2 of the protective member 8 corresponding to the input region E _I, in user who has operated the input device X1, finger It is also possible to distinguish between the input area E _I and the outer area E _O simply by touching with. Thereby, for example, even the visually impaired user can easily distinguish the input area E _I and the outer area E _O.

  Next, the detection principle of the input device X1 will be described.

When the finger F1, which is a conductor, approaches, touches, or presses the operation surface 2a of the base 2 corresponding to the input area E _I via the protective member 8, the electrostatic force between the finger F1 and the detection electrodes 3a, 4a is detected. The capacity changes. Here, a position detection driver (not shown) always detects a change in capacitance between the finger F1 and the detection electrodes 3a and 4a. When the position detection driver detects a change in capacitance that is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the position detection driver detects a position where the change in capacitance is detected as an input position. In this way, the input device X1 can detect the input position. Note that the input device X1 may detect either the input position or the mutual capacitance method or the self-capacitance method. Employing the mutual capacitance method is preferable compared to the case of employing the self-capacitance method because a plurality of input positions can be detected simultaneously.

  As described above, in the input device X1, reliability can be improved.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the display device Y1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the display device Y1 includes an input device X1 and a liquid crystal display device Z1 disposed to face the input device X1.

  The liquid crystal display device Z1 includes a liquid crystal display panel 90, a backlight 91, and a housing 92.

  The liquid crystal display panel 90 is a display panel using a liquid crystal composition for display. The backlight 91 includes a light source 91a and a light guide plate 91b. The light source 91a is a member that plays a role of emitting light toward the light guide plate 91b, and includes, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode). Instead of the LED, a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL), a halogen lamp, a xenon lamp, or an EL (Electro-Luminescence) may be used. The light guide plate 91b is a member that plays a role of guiding light from the light source 51a substantially uniformly over the entire lower surface of the liquid crystal display panel 90.

  The housing 92 plays a role of housing the liquid crystal display panel 90 and the backlight 91, and includes an upper housing 92a and a lower housing 92b. Examples of the constituent material of the housing 92 include a resin such as polycarbonate, or a metal such as stainless steel (SUS) and aluminum.

  Here, the input device X1 and the liquid crystal display device Z1 are bonded via a double-sided tape 93. That is, the input device X1 and the liquid crystal display device Z1 are bonded via the double-sided tape 93 so that the back surface 2b of the base 2 in the input device X1 is disposed to face the main surface of the liquid crystal display panel 90. Note that the fixing member used in the fixing method between the input device X1 and the liquid crystal display device Z1 is not limited to the double-sided tape 93. For example, an adhesive member such as a thermosetting resin or an ultraviolet curable resin, or the input device X1. And a fixed structure that physically fixes the liquid crystal display device Z1. Further, the input device X1 and the liquid crystal display device Z1 may be disposed in contact with each other or may be disposed with a gap therebetween.

Thus, the input device X1 while seeing through the liquid crystal display panel 90 of the liquid crystal display device Z1, by inputting operation of the input region E _I of the input device X1, it is possible to input various information. When inputting various types of information, the input device X1 may be provided with a function of presenting various tactile sensations such as a feeling of pressing, a feeling of tracing, and a feeling of touch to the user who has input the information. In this case, the base body 2 in the input device X1 includes one or more vibrating bodies (for example, piezoelectric elements), and when a predetermined input operation or a predetermined pressing load is detected, the vibrating body is detected at a predetermined frequency. It can be realized by vibrating.

  Instead of the liquid crystal display panel 90, a display panel such as a plasma display, an organic EL display, or electronic paper may be used.

  Since the display device Y1 includes the input device X1, the reliability can be improved.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a mobile terminal P1 including the display device Y1. The mobile terminal P1 is, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PDA, or the like. As shown in FIG. 6, the mobile terminal P <b> 1 includes a display device Y <b> 1, an audio input unit 101, an audio output unit 102, a key input unit 103, and a device casing 104.

  The voice input unit 101 includes, for example, a microphone or the like, and inputs a user's voice or the like. The audio output unit 102 includes a speaker or the like, and outputs audio from the other party. The key input unit 103 is constituted by, for example, a mechanical key. Note that the key input unit 103 may be an operation key displayed on the display screen. The device casing 104 is a member that plays a role of housing the display device X <b> 1, the voice input unit 101, the voice output unit 102, and the key input unit 103.

  In addition, the mobile terminal P1 may include a short-distance wireless communication unit such as a digital camera function unit, a one-segment broadcasting tuner, an infrared communication function unit, and various interfaces, depending on the required functions. The detailed illustration and description thereof will be omitted.

  Since the portable terminal P1 includes the display device Y1, the reliability can be improved.

  In addition, although the example which provided the audio | voice input part 101 in the portable terminal P1 was demonstrated above, it is not limited to this. That is, the voice input unit 101 may not be provided in the mobile terminal P1.

  Here, the display device Y1 is not limited to the portable terminal P1 described above, but various devices such as a programmable display, an electronic notebook, a personal computer, a copying machine, a game terminal device, a television, and a digital camera used for industrial purposes. The device may be provided.

X1 input device Y1 display device P1 portable terminal (device)
2 Base 2a Operation surface of the base (first main surface of the base)
2b Back surface of substrate (second main surface of substrate)
3a First detection electrode (detection electrode)
4a Second detection electrode (detection electrode)
6 Wiring conductor 8 Protection member 83 Decoration member 90 Liquid crystal display panel (display panel)
104 Housing for equipment

Claims (6)

A base body having a first main surface and a second main surface located on the opposite side of the first main surface;
A protective member provided on the first main surface of the base;
A detection electrode provided on the second main surface of the substrate;
A wiring conductor provided on the second main surface of the base body and electrically connected to the detection electrode;
The input device according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the protection member corresponding to a portion where the wiring conductor is located is larger than a thickness of the protection member corresponding to a portion where the detection electrode is located. The protective member includes a decorative member,
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the decoration member is provided in a portion corresponding to a portion where the wiring conductor is located.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the decoration member is set to a reference potential. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A display panel disposed opposite to the input device.   The display device according to claim 4, wherein the display panel is a liquid crystal display panel.   A device comprising the display device according to claim 4 in a device casing.

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