JP2015138361A - Contactor to detection surface of touch panel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a contactor to a detection surface of a touch panel, which can reliably contact the detection surface of the touch panel.SOLUTION: A contactor to a touch panel detection surface contacts a detection surface of a touch panel. The contactor comprises: contact-making means for making contact with the detection surface at at least three points existing on the detection surface including three points forming vertices of a triangle; contact means that has a contact part for contacting the detection surface, and that may have, by being supported so as to freely advance/retract to/from the detection surface, a contact state where the contact part is in contact with the detection surface and a non-contact state where the contact part is away from the detection surface, in a state where the contact-making means is in contact with the detection surface at the at least three points; and advancing/retracting means for advancing/retracting the contact means to/from the detection surface to switch between the contact state and the non-contact state.

Description

  The present invention relates to a contact device for a detection surface of a touch panel (sometimes referred to as a “detection surface” or a “touch panel surface”), and more specifically, the contact surface is usually touched by a fingertip or a touch pen. It is related with the contact apparatus which inputs a signal by contacting the detection surface in the touchscreen into which a signal is input.

Touch panels are frequently used as input devices for mobile phones (including so-called smartphones), personal computers (including so-called tablet terminals), game machines, home appliances, and the like. The touch panel allows the user to input a contact position on the detection surface when the user touches the detection surface of the touch panel with a finger or a touch pen.
In such an input operation to the touch panel, it is necessary to reliably contact an accurate contact position on the detection surface, and various proposals have been made to assist this input operation (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Patent Document 1 is “to provide an input auxiliary tool that facilitates touch input operation on a touch panel type input device and does not cause erroneous input” (paragraph number 0009 of Patent Document 1). An input auxiliary tool for touch input operation has a mounting part to be attached to a finger, a contact surface that can come into contact with the touch panel type input device, a support part fixed to the mounting part, and a mounting part An input unit having an operation surface that can be pressed by a finger and fixed to bendable with respect to the support unit, and the input unit is a tip of the input unit only when the operation surface is pressed by the finger. Is in contact with the touch panel surface of the touch panel type input device, while the contact surface of the support unit is in contact with the touch panel type input device except when the operation surface is pressed by a finger. An input assisting tool is disclosed in which the front end portion of the input portion is positioned with a space with respect to the touch panel surface and does not contact the touch panel surface ”(paragraph numbers 0010 to 0011 of Patent Document 1). Has been. According to the input assisting tool disclosed in Patent Document 1, “the input assisting tool worn on the finger is used while being placed on the touch panel surface of the touch panel type input device. The height of the vertical direction is stable, and the touch input operation can be easily performed.The area of the contact surface where the support portion of the input auxiliary device according to the present invention contacts the touch panel type input device is as follows: Is sufficiently larger than the area in contact with the touch panel surface of the touch panel type input device, so even if the contact surface of the support portion is in contact with the touch panel surface, the location is not recognized as a touch operation position. No erroneous input will occur "(paragraph number 0013 of Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-176720 (for example, abstract, claim 1, paragraph numbers 0001 to 0013 in the detailed description of the invention, FIGS. 5 and 6, etc.)

According to the input assisting tool of Patent Document 1, the tip of the input unit comes into contact with the touch panel surface (detection surface) of the touch panel type input device only when the operation surface is pressed by a finger, and the touch position is input to the touch panel. However, since the touch to the touch panel surface (detection surface) is performed by pressing the finger, there is a problem that the detection surface is not touched well when the finger is not sufficiently pressed.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a contact device for the detection surface of the touch panel that can reliably contact the detection surface of the touch panel.

The contact device of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “the present device”) is a contact device for a touch panel detection surface that contacts the detection surface of the touch panel, and is at least 3 existing on the detection surface including three points forming a vertex of a triangle. A contact means that contacts the detection surface at a point and a contact portion that contacts the detection surface and is supported so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the detection surface, so that the contact means contacts the detection surface at at least three points. Contact means that can take a contact state where the contact portion is in contact with the detection surface and a non-contact state where the contact portion is separated from the detection surface, and the contact means with respect to the detection surface A contact device comprising advancing / retreating means for advancing / retreating and switching between a contact state and a non-contact state.
This device is a surface that emits a signal by an access that is either a touch surface of a touch panel (usually contact (including pressing) or approach by a fingertip or touch pen), and is sometimes referred to as a detection surface or a touch panel surface. Is a device that touches the touch panel detection surface that contacts the curved surface as well as along the plane.
This apparatus includes a contact means, a contact means, and an advance / retreat means.
The contact means positions the apparatus with respect to the detection surface by contacting the detection surface of the touch panel. The contact of the contact means with the detection surface is made at at least three points existing on the detection surface, and the three points included in the at least three points form a vertex of a triangle. The abutment means abuts against the detection surface at the at least three points on such a detection surface, so that the relative position of the apparatus with respect to the detection surface can be determined reliably.
A contact means has a contact part which contacts a detection surface. The contact means is supported so as to be movable forward and backward with respect to the detection surface in a state where the contact means is in contact with the detection surface at the at least three points. As the contact means advances and retreats with respect to the detection surface, a contact state where the contact portion is in contact with the detection surface and a non-contact state where the contact portion is separated from the detection surface can be taken.
The advancing / retreating means switches between a contact state and a non-contact state by advancing / retreating the contact means supported so as to be movable back and forth with respect to the detection surface.
Thus, in this apparatus, the advancing / retreating means advances / retreats the contact means with respect to the detection surface in a state where the contact means abuts on the detection surface at the three points (relative positioning of the apparatus with respect to the detection surface). The contact means switches between a contact state (a state in which the contact portion is in contact with the detection surface) and a non-contact state (a state in which the contact portion is separated from the detection surface), so that the device reliably contacts the detection surface of the touch panel. It is a contact device to the detection surface of a touch panel which can be performed.

In this apparatus, each is independently provided in a contact state and a non-contact state, and is provided in each of at least two or more contact means and at least two or more contact means in which the contact portions are in contact with the detection surface. Further, it may have at least two or more advancing / retreating means (hereinafter referred to as “multiple contact main apparatus”).
In this way, at least two or more contact means are provided with advance / retreat means, respectively, so that at least two or more contact means can independently advance / retreat with respect to the detection surface by the advance / retreat means provided therein, and are in the contact state independently. And a non-contact state. For this reason, at least two or more contact means (the position at which the contact portion of each contact means contacts the detection surface differs depending on each contact means). Each contact portion can freely contact different positions on the detection surface.

In the case of this multi-contact apparatus, the at least two or more contact means may be in contact with each other at different timings.
By doing this, the at least two or more contact means are brought into contact state at different timings, and thus various contact patterns including the order in which the at least two or more contact means are in contact state (the at least two or more contact means). (Refers to changes in the contact state of the means over time) (different contact positions on the detection surface can be contacted at different timings). In addition, as an example of the contact pattern including the order in which the at least two or more contact means come into contact, when there are four contact means of contact means A, contact means B, contact means C, and contact means D, 4 (Pattern 1) contact means A → contact means B → contact means C → contact means D, (pattern 2) contact means A → contact means B → contact means D → contact means C (Pattern 3) Contact means A → Contact means C → Contact means B → Contact means D, (Pattern 4) Contact means A → Contact means C → Contact means D → Contact means B,... Conceivable.

The apparatus includes a gripping means having a conductive portion that is held by a user of the contact device and that is formed of a conductive material that can be touched by the user's hand, and the contact portion is formed of a conductive material. In other words, the contact portion and the conductive portion may be electrically connected (hereinafter referred to as “the gripping means provided main device”).
There are capacitive touch panels, so that when the contact part touches the detection surface of such a capacitive touch panel, the touch panel can detect it well by contacting the user of this device. What is necessary is just to make it electrically connect with a part. The electrical connection between the user and the contact portion is such that the apparatus is provided with a gripping means that the user grips with a hand and a conductive portion (conductive material (that can be contacted by the user's hand gripping the gripping means)). For example, metal, conductive sponge, conductive plastic, etc.) and the contact portion (formed by a conductive material (eg, metal, conductive sponge, conductive plastic, etc.)) and the conductive portion are electrically Thus, it is possible to realize the use of the apparatus by using the gripping means without imposing extra work on the user. With this apparatus having gripping means, both the pressure-sensitive touch panel and the capacitive touch panel can be operated well.

In the case of this apparatus having gripping means, the contact means includes a support rod electrically connected to the conductive portion, a support plate formed of a conductive material that is conductively attached to one end of the support rod, and a support plate. And a pad formed of a conductive material that has a contact portion and is softer than the support plate (hereinafter referred to as “pad-equipped device”).
In this way, a contact portion is formed by the outer surface of the flexible pad (formed of a conductive material), and the flexible pad contacts the detection surface of the touch panel, so that the contact portion contacts the detection surface and a contact state is formed. Therefore, the contact state can be maintained without damaging the detection surface. The pad is attached to a harder support plate (formed of conductive material), the support plate is attached to one end of the support bar (formed of conductive material) in a conductive manner, and the support bar is attached to the gripping means. It is electrically connected to the conductive part. As a result, the conductive portion of the gripping means and the pad are electrically connected via the support rod and the support plate, and the contact is the outer surface of the flexible pad supported by the support rod and the support plate with sufficient and sufficient strength. Since a part contacts a detection surface, possibility of damaging a detection surface is reduced, connecting a user and a contact part electrically, and a contact state can be hold | maintained reliably. Note that the conductive material forming the pad is "softer than the support plate" means that the Young's modulus in the compressive stress of the conductive material forming the pad is smaller than the Young's modulus in the compressive stress of the conductive material forming the support plate. That means.

In the case of this apparatus having a pad, the apparatus includes an external fitting member that is electrically connected to the conductive portion and is slidably fitted to the support rod, and the conductive portion and the support rod are electrically connected via the external fitting member. It may be connected to.
In this apparatus having a pad, the support bar, the support plate, and the pad are advanced and retracted with respect to the detection surface. Therefore, when electrically connecting the conductive portion of the gripping means and the support bar, the support bar is advanced and retracted. Need to be tolerated. The conductive portion and the support rod can be directly connected by a flexible conductive wire (allowing advancement and retraction) or the like, but an external fitting member slidably fitted to the support rod can also be used. That is, the outer fitting member is slidably fitted on the support rod so as to be in contact with the outer surface of the support rod (electrically conductive) (for example, the outer surface of the support rod and the outer surface of the support rod facing the outer surface). And the inner surface of the outer fitting member are electrically connected to each other so that the outer fitting member is electrically connected to the conductive portion. The conductive portion and the support bar can be electrically connected while allowing the support bar to advance and retreat relative to the member. In addition, when the outer fitting member is slidably fitted on the support rod so that it cannot contact the outer surface of the support rod (electrically non-conductive), the outer fitting member can contact the outer surface of the support rod (electrically In such a case (in this case, electrical continuity can be further ensured by providing means for electrical connection described later). Even if it exists, you may make it take a means to electrically connect this outer fitting member and a support bar. As means for electrically connecting the outer fitting member and the support rod, (1) a conductive wire for electrically connecting the outer fitting member and the support rod, and (2) advancing and retracting means are in contact with the contact means. And a biasing spring that transitions from one state of the non-contact state to the other state, and a drive unit that transitions from the other state to the one state against the biasing force of the biasing spring. In this case, one end of the urging spring through which the support bar passes is electrically connected by being brought into contact with or attached to the outer fitting member, and the other end of the urging spring is electrically connected to the support bar. The biasing spring etc. which were made to be connected (for example, electrically connected by abutting or attaching the other end to a flange member attached to the support rod) can be exemplified. This causes the problem of disconnection of the conductor used when directly connecting the conductive portion and the support rod (in the case of direct connection, the conductor may be deformed by the advancement / retraction of the support rod). To reduce or reduce the load on the advancing / retreating means (for example, if the conductive portion and the support rod are directly connected by a conducting wire, the conducting wire tends to be long, and the advancing / retreating means drives the long conducting wire. Therefore, the device can be made highly reliable and have a long life.

In the case of this apparatus having a pad, a part of the outer surface of the support plate and a part of the outer surface of the pad are bonded via an adhesive layer, and the other part of the outer surface of the support plate and the other part of the outer surface of the pad Even if a convex part that protrudes toward the other is formed on one of the other parts of both, and a concave part that accommodates the convex part is formed on the other. Good.
The support plate and the pad of this apparatus are attached so as to be conductive, but if the support plate and the pad are attached by bonding, the electrical resistance between the support plate and the pad with the adhesive layer interposed is the same as that of the support plate. It is often larger than the electric resistance between the support plate and the pad when the pad is in direct contact (the electric resistance of the adhesive layer is large). For this reason, when a part of the outer surface of the support plate and a part of the outer surface of the pad are bonded via an adhesive layer, the other part of the outer surface of the support plate and the other part of the outer surface of the pad are in direct contact with each other. (Adhesive layer does not intervene) and one of these other parts (the other part of the outer surface of the support plate, the other part of the outer surface of the pad) has a convex part protruding toward the other. The other part of the outer surface of the support plate and the other part of the outer surface of the pad are formed by fitting the convex part and the concave part so that the concave part that accommodates the convex part is formed on the other side. The area of direct contact may be increased to reduce the electrical resistance between the support plate and the pad. If it does in this way, a favorable electrical connection can be formed between a user and a contact part, and it can make a capacitive touch panel detect the contact of this apparatus smoothly and reliably.

In the case of this apparatus with gripping means, the advancing / retreating means may be operated by displacing the gripping means in a predetermined direction relative to the contact means.
By doing so, the operation switch of the present apparatus can be configured by the gripping means. That is, the advancing / retreating unit of the present apparatus can be operated (switched on) by relatively displacing the gripping unit in a predetermined direction with respect to the abutting unit that abuts on the detection surface. In this state, the advancing / retreating unit of the apparatus is operated by applying a force so as to displace the gripping means in a predetermined direction (for example, pressing down the gripping means so as to approach the detection surface). Contact to the surface can be made. This eliminates the need for special work to operate the separately disposed switches, thus facilitating the use of the apparatus.

In this apparatus, the abutting means abuts on the detection surface along a part or all of the closed curve along the detection surface connecting around the at least three points (hereinafter referred to as “line contact main apparatus”). .).
By doing so, a closed curve (part or all of which is a line segment) along the detection surface that ties around the at least three points (including the three points forming the vertices of a triangle) existing on the detection surface is included. Since the abutting means abuts against the detection surface along at least a part of the shortest closed curve.), The relative positioning of the apparatus with respect to the detection surface is further ensured as compared with the case where the abutting point abuts against the detection surface.

In the case of the line abutting apparatus, the abutting means may be provided with auxiliary abutting means that abuts on a portion of the detection surface existing inside the closed curve when the abutting means abuts on the detection surface.
By doing so, the contact means abuts on the detection surface along at least a part of the closed curve, and the auxiliary contact means abuts on a portion of the detection surface existing inside the closed curve. The target position can be determined more reliably.

In the case of this line contact apparatus, the contact portion may be in contact with a portion of the detection surface existing inside the closed curve.
By doing so, the contact portion comes into contact with the portion of the detection surface existing inside the closed curve where the contact means abuts on the detection surface along at least a part of the contact surface. Further, it is possible to prevent or reduce the rotation (tilt) of the apparatus with respect to the detection surface due to the reaction force caused by the advance and retreat of the contact means with respect to the detection surface.

In this apparatus, the advancing / retreating means moves the contact means from one of the contact state and the non-contact state to the other state, and from the other state against the biasing force of the biasing spring. And a drive unit that shifts to the one state.
In this way, by providing a drive unit that makes a transition from the other state of the contact state and the non-contact state to the one state, the biasing spring can make the transition from the one state to the other state. Therefore, since no complicated means for transitioning from the one state to the other state is required, the configuration of the apparatus can be simplified. The urging spring may be either a compression spring or a tension spring.

It is a front view of the contact device (this device) to the detection surface of the touch panel concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of this apparatus. It is a figure of the bottom face part of this apparatus. It is CC sectional drawing of FIG. It is DD sectional drawing of FIG. FIG. 5 is a partially omitted enlarged view of a portion pointed by an arrow E in FIG. 4 (the actuator is removed and the pressing portion is illustrated). It is an enlarged view of a press part. It is a figure explaining the usage method of this apparatus. It is a figure which shows the contact state in the detection surface of a touch panel.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited by these.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a contact device (this device) 11 to a detection surface of a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of this device 11 (viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1). 3 is a bottom view of the apparatus 11 (specifically, FIG. 3A is a bottom view of the apparatus 11 (viewed from the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1). 3 (b) is a perspective view of the bottom surface portion of the apparatus 11.), FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 2, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD (the cross-sectional position is also indicated by DD in FIG. 3), and FIG. 6 is a partially omitted enlarged view of a part indicated by an arrow E in FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the pressing portion 71 (specifically, FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view taken along line JJ in FIG. 6). b) is a cross-section G-G of FIG 7 (a).). The apparatus 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the vertical upward direction when the lower surface 46b of the outer contact portion 46 and the lower surface 42b of the inner contact portion 42 are in contact with the detection surface (not shown) of the touch panel forming the horizontal upper surface is “up” (FIG. The description will be made assuming that the middle direction is the arrow Q1) and the vertically downward direction is "down" (the arrow Q2 direction in the figure).

  The apparatus 11 roughly includes a main body 21 having a hollow box shape inside, and a hollow gripping part 31 (formed of a conductive material) supported above the main body 21 so as to be movable up and down by the main body 21. 4) pressing the detection surface (not shown) of the touch panel by moving forward and backward with respect to the detection surface (not shown) of the touch panel and the contact portion 41 attached to the lower surface 21b of the main body 21. A pressing portion 71; four shaft portions 61 having the pressing portion 71 attached to the tip (here, the lower end); and four actuators 81 that support the shaft portion 61 so as to be slidable up and down and are driven downward. The electronic board 23 that drives the four actuators 81 (supports the necessary electronic equipment and performs the electrical operation so as to move the pressing portion 71 forward and backward so as to press the detection surface (not shown) of the touch panel with a predetermined pattern. A battery 55 for supplying electricity to the electronic substrate 23, a switch 51 for intermittently supplying electricity from the battery 55 to the electronic substrate 23, and between the grip portion 31 and the shaft portion 61. And a connection line 91 that electrically conducts.

Here, the main body 21 is formed of a synthetic resin, which is an electrically insulating material, and forms a hollow box having an internal space 22. A substrate support plate 24 that supports the electronic substrate 23 is disposed in the internal space 22.
An inner fitting portion 25 having a hollow cylindrical shape is formed on the upper surface 21a of the main body portion 21. The inner fitting portion 25 is fitted in an opening formed in a bottom of a closed, hollow cylindrical shape formed by a grip portion 31 described later. The part 25 is internally fitted (freely fitted).
The lower surface 21b of the main body 21 has a rectangular shape (substantially square here) along a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction, and one of the diagonal lines of the rectangle has two corners. In addition, a shaft through hole 26 (see FIG. 5 in particular) is formed in a circular shape centering on these four corners of a rectangle (substantially square here) having two corners on the other diagonal line. Any of the four shaft through-holes 26 that are drilled is loosely fitted to the shaft portion 61 (the distal-side shaft portion 65 described later), so that the shaft portion 61 (the distal-side shaft portion 65) is attached to the main body portion 21. Allow to move up and down.

  The grip portion 31 has a closed and bottomless hollow cylindrical shape (similar to a bell shape) formed of a conductive material (here, made of metal) (here, an imaginary line segment along the vertical direction) Abbreviation of a rotating body with the axis as the axis). In the opening formed at the lower end of the grip portion 31, the inner fitting portion 25 of the main body portion 21 is fitted (freely fitted), and the grip portion 31 is within a predetermined range with respect to the main body portion 21 in the vertical direction. Can exercise freely. The upper end of the cylindrical switch rod 58 along the vertical direction is attached to the fixing plate 32 disposed inside the grip portion 31, and the switch rod 58 is disposed in the internal space 22 of the main body portion 21. The contact plate 27 passes through the contact plate 27 with play (the switch rod 58 is movable up and down with respect to the contact plate 27). The spring 57 is arranged so as to be fitted on the switch rod 58 with the upper end of the spring 57 in contact with the fixed plate 32 and the lower end of the spring 57 in contact with the contact plate 27 and compressed. As described above, since the grip portion 31 is supported by the main body portion 21 so as to freely move in the vertical direction with respect to the main body portion 21, the grip portion 31 is attached with a spring 57 (compression spring) with respect to the main body portion 21. By being biased upward by the force, the grip portion 31 is positioned at the upper limit position with respect to the main body portion 21 in a state in which no force other than gravity is applied to the grip portion 31. When a force in the direction of the main body portion 21 is applied to 31, the grip portion 31 can be pushed down against the biasing force of the spring 57.

  The abutting portion 41 includes an outer abutting portion 46 and an inner abutting portion 42 attached (here, bonded) to the lower surface 21b of the main body portion 21, and both the outer abutting portion 46 and the inner abutting portion 42 are both. It is formed of a flexible material having elasticity (here, it is formed of a sponge (so-called EVA sponge) formed of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin (EVA). The product name “rectangular sheet 200 mm × 330 mm × 5 mm black” (model number 1001) manufactured by CORNER was used. The outer abutting portion 46 is formed along the four sides of the rectangular shape (here, substantially square) that is substantially formed by the lower surface 21b. ). The inner abutting portion 42 is formed in a “+” shape by combining a pair of rod-like members so as to be orthogonal to each other. Specifically, the inner contact portion 42 has a rectangular shape (here, substantially square shape) 4 formed by the lower surface 21b. A member that is substantially parallel to one pair of sides that are parallel to each other (the member has a substantially equal distance from any one of the pair of sides), and the other that is parallel to the other of the four sides. And a member substantially parallel to the pair of sides (the member has a substantially equal distance from both of the other pair of sides) and are arranged so as to be orthogonal to each other. And both the lower surface 46b of the outer contact part 46 and the lower surface 42b of the inner contact part 42 exist in the reference plane P which is one plane perpendicular to the vertical direction (the reference plane P is the touch panel surface). The lower surface 46b and the lower surface 42b are located below the lower surface 21b of the main body 21 and belong to one plane (reference plane P) parallel to the lower surface 21b.

The pressing portion 71 is formed by bonding a lower pressing portion 73 and an upper pressing portion 75 with an adhesive layer 77 (see particularly FIG. 7B), and as a whole is a right cylinder (the axis of the right cylinder is referred to as a “pressing portion axis”). ")" Is almost omitted. Here, four pressing parts 71 are arranged.
The upper pressing portion 75 is formed of a conductor (specifically, metal) and is attached to the lower end of the shaft portion 61 (front end side shaft portion 65) (the shaft portion 61 (front end side shaft portion 65) and the upper side. The pressing portion 75 is in a conductive state). The upper pressing portion 75 has a right circular cylinder portion 75a with the pressing portion axis as an axis (one bottom surface (upper surface here) is attached to the lower end of the shaft portion 61 (front end side shaft portion 65)). A truncated cone portion 75b (with the pressing portion axis as an axis) formed on the other bottom surface (here, the lower surface) of the right cylindrical portion 75a is integrally provided. In addition, the bottom surface having the larger radius of both bottom surfaces of the truncated cone portion 75b is integrally attached to the other bottom surface (here, the lower surface) of the right circular column portion 75a (that is, the truncated cone portion 75b faces downward). It is a tapered shape.)
The lower pressing portion 73 is a flexible and flexible conductive material (here, foamed polyethylene with conductivity is used. Specifically, the trade name “Ohmflex conductive sheet size thickness of Yawata Screw Co., Ltd.) 3 × 250 × 250 mm material EPDM ”(JAN: 4979874849359) was used. The lower pressing portion 73 has a right circular cylinder shape with the pressing portion axis as an axis, and a concave portion 73h that accommodates the truncated cone portion 75b of the upper pressing portion 75 on one bottom surface (upper surface here) of both bottom surfaces of the right circular cylinder. (See FIG. 7B in particular). Note that the lower surface 73b of the lower pressing portion 73 belongs to a plane perpendicular to the pressing portion axis.
One bottom surface (here, the upper surface) of the lower pressing portion 73 and the other bottom surface (here, the lower surface) of the upper pressing portion 75 are bonded to each other by the adhesive layer 77 except for a portion where the concave portion 73h and the truncated cone portion 75b face. Thus, the lower pressing portion 73 and the upper pressing portion 75 are attached. The adhesive layer 77 has a low electrical conductivity (substantially an insulator), but the shaft portion 61 (front end side shaft) is configured such that the recess 73h and the truncated cone portion 75b are in direct contact with each other without the adhesive layer 77 interposed therebetween. It is possible to conduct well from the portion 65) to the lower pressing portion 73 via the upper pressing portion 75. Further, by bringing the concave portion 73h and the truncated cone portion 75b into contact with each other, the lower pressure is lower than when the upper surface of the lower pressure portion 73 and the lower surface of the upper pressure portion 75 are in contact with each other along a plane perpendicular to the pressure portion axis. The contact area between the portion 73 and the upper pressing portion 75 can be increased, and the electrical resistance between the upper pressing portion 75 and the lower pressing portion 73 can be decreased.

The shaft portion 61 includes a distal end side shaft portion 65, a proximal end side shaft portion 63 having a distal end (here, a lower end) attached to a proximal end (here, upper end) of the distal end side shaft portion 65, and a proximal end side shaft portion 63. A proximal end flange member 62 fixed (soldered here) near the proximal end (here upper end), a distal end flange member 64 having a through hole for loosely fitting the proximal end shaft portion 63, and a proximal end And a helical spring 66 that is externally fitted to the proximal end side shaft portion 63 between the side flange member 62 and the distal end side flange member 64. The distal end side shaft portion 65 and the proximal end side shaft portion 63 form a straight bar shape along a straight line, and a proximal end side shaft portion 63 has a columnar shape having a larger radius than the cylindrical shape formed by the distal end side shaft portion 65. Is forming. A total of four shaft portions 61 are provided for each of the four pressing portions 71. Both the proximal flange member 62 and the distal flange member 64 are formed of a donut-shaped flat plate member (disk member) along a plane perpendicular to the straight line. A connecting wire 91 is connected to a surface 64a (upper surface in this case) facing both the main surfaces of the distal end side flange member 64 by the solder 94 (see FIG. 6 in particular).
The distal end side shaft portion 65 and the proximal end side shaft portion 63 are fitted and supported by an actuator 81, which will be described later, so as to be slidable in the vertical direction, and among the both surfaces of the distal end side flange member 64, The opposite surface 64b (here, the lower surface) contacts the upper surface of the actuator 81.

The actuator 81 supports the distal end side shaft portion 65 of the shaft portion 61 so as to be slidable up and down (the sleeve 83 included in the actuator 81 supports the distal end side shaft portion 65 so as to be movable up and down) and electromagnetic force. The distal end side shaft portion 65 and the proximal end side shaft portion 63 are driven in the direction of the pressing portion 71 (downward here) (that is, the pressing portion 71 protrudes downward). As described above, since the distal end side flange member 64 is in contact with the upper surface of the actuator 81, when the proximal end side shaft portion 63 is driven in the direction of the pressing portion 71 (downward here), the proximal end side flange member 62 and The helical spring 66 is compressed between the distal end side flange member 64 (that is, the proximal side shaft portion 63 is driven in the direction of the pressing portion 71 (downward here) against the urging force of the helical spring 66. .) 4 and 5, a pair of left and right shaft portions 61 are shown. Of these, the right shaft portion 61 has a proximal end shaft portion 63 driven in the direction of the pressing portion 71 (downward here). The left shaft portion 61 is in a state in which the base end side shaft portion 63 is driven in the direction of the pressing portion 71 (downward here) (a helical spring). 66 is compressed). As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in a state where the proximal end side shaft portion 63 is driven in the direction of the pressing portion 71 (here, downward) (hereinafter referred to as “driving state”), the lower surface 73 b of the pressing portion 71. However, it slightly protrudes below the reference plane P to which the lower surface 46b of the outer contact part 46 and the lower surface 42b of the inner contact part 42 belong (a state where a detection surface (not shown) of the touch panel is pressed). In this driving state, the helical spring 66 is compressed. Therefore, when the electromagnetic force of the actuator 81 that drives the proximal end side shaft portion 63 toward the pressing portion 71 (here, the downward direction) is eliminated, the helical spring is removed. Due to the urging force of 66, the base end side shaft portion 63 moves in a direction opposite to the pressing portion 71 (upward here) and enters a non-driven state (a state where the detection surface (not shown) of the touch panel is not pressed).
As described above, a plurality (four here) of pairs of the shaft portion 61 and the pressing portion 71 attached to the tip of the shaft 61 are disposed, but none of these plural (here four) pairs is driven. In the state, the lower surface 73b of the pressing portion 71 is a plane substantially parallel to the reference plane P (hereinafter referred to as the reference plane P) located above the reference plane P to which the lower surface 46b of the outer contact portion 46 and the lower surface 42b of the inner contact portion 42 belong. (The lower surface 73b of the four belongs to the upper surface in the non-driven state), and the lower surface 73b of the pressing portion 71 is in the driven state in any of these plural (here, 4) pairs. Belongs to one plane (hereinafter referred to as a “lower plane”) substantially parallel to the reference plane P existing below the reference plane P (the lower surface 73b of 4 belongs to the lower plane in the driving state).

The electronic board 23 is necessary for driving the distal end side shaft portion 65 and the proximal end side shaft portion 63 by the four actuators 81 so that the pressing portion 71 presses the detection surface (not shown) of the touch panel according to a predetermined pattern. An electric circuit that supports various electronic devices and functions is formed. Specifically, energization to the four actuators 81 necessary for the pressing portion 71 to press the detection surface (not shown) of the touch panel according to a predetermined pattern (the proximal end shaft portion 63 is directed toward the pressing portion 71 by energization). (In this case, it is driven in the downward direction, and the pressing unit 71 presses the detection surface (not shown) of the touch panel.) Storage means for storing the timing, reading means for reading the energization timing from the storage means, and reading means The electronic board 23 has energization means for energizing each actuator 81 in accordance with the energization timing read out by. Note that rewriting means for rewriting the energization timing stored in the storage means may be provided. The electronic substrate 23 is supported by the substrate support plate 24 as described above.
Here, the “predetermined pattern” in which the pressing unit 71 presses the detection surface (not shown) of the touch panel includes four pressing units 71 that press different positions on the detection surface (not shown) of the touch panel. These four pressing parts 71 refer to the time-lapse state in which the detection surface (not shown) of the touch panel is pressed. For example, the time series in which these four pressing parts 71 press the detection surface (not shown) of the touch panel. As an element, the number of times that these four pressing parts 71 press the detection surface (not shown) of the touch panel, the time that these four pressing parts 71 press the detection surface (not shown) of the touch panel, etc. It is formed by making one or a combination of two or more of these elements different.

  Here, the battery 55 is housed inside the grip portion 31 and supplies (energizes) electricity to each actuator 81 via the electronic substrate 23. The battery 55 has a voltage and capacity sufficient for the pressing portion 71 to press the detection surface (not shown) of the touch panel a desired number of times according to a predetermined pattern, but when the battery 55 is exhausted, a new battery is used. And can be easily replaced.

The switch 51 has one contact terminal 51a and the other contact terminal 51b. One contact terminal 51a is attached to the lower end of the switch rod 58, and the other contact terminal 51b is one contact terminal. It is fixed to the upper surface of the electronic substrate 23 so as to oppose 51a (see especially FIG. 4). When one contact terminal 51a and the other contact terminal 51b come into contact, the switch 51 enters and electricity is supplied from the battery 55 to the electronic board 23, and when one contact terminal 51a and the other contact terminal 51b leave, the switch 51 is turned off. Supply of electricity from the battery 55 to the electronic substrate 23 is cut off.
As described above, the gripping portion 31 is biased upward by the biasing force of the spring 57 with respect to the main body portion 21, so that it is attached to the lower end of the switch rod 58 when no force other than gravity is applied to the gripping portion 31. The one contact terminal 51a is positioned above the other contact terminal 51b fixed to the upper surface of the electronic substrate 23, and the one contact terminal 51a and the other contact terminal 51b are separated from each other (switch Off) No electricity is supplied from the battery 55 to the electronic substrate 23. When the grip portion 31 is gripped by hand from this state and the grip portion 31 is pushed down against the main body portion 21 against the urging force of the spring 57, one contact terminal 51a attached to the lower end of the switch rod 58 is The electric contact is lowered toward the other contact terminal 51b fixed on the upper surface of the electronic substrate 23, and the one contact terminal 51a and the other contact terminal 51b come into contact with each other (switched on). Supplied. By supplying electricity to the electronic board 23, each actuator 81 is energized at a predetermined timing, and the pressing portion 71 presses a detection surface (not shown) of the touch panel with a predetermined pattern. For example, if the four pressing parts 71 are a pressing part 71A, a pressing part 71B, a pressing part 71C, and a pressing part 71D, respectively, an actuator 81A that drives the pressing part 71A, an actuator 81B that drives the pressing part 71B, and a driving part 71C are driven. The actuator 81C and the actuator 81D that drives the pressing portion 71D are energized for 0.5 seconds to the actuator 81A, 0.5 seconds idle time, the actuator 81B is energized for 0.5 seconds, 0.5 seconds idle time, and the actuator 81C is 0. By energizing in the order of energizing for 5 seconds, idle time for 0.5 seconds, and energizing the actuator 81D in the order of 0.5 seconds, the detection surface of the touch panel (not suitable) in the order of the pressing portion 71A, the pressing portion 71B, the pressing portion 71C, and the pressing portion 71D (This makes it possible for the touch panel to have different positions on its detection surface pressed in order.) To detect). Thereafter, when the force to push down the grip portion 31 against the main body portion 21 is reduced or removed, the grip portion 31 is moved upward by the urging force of the spring 57, and the one contact terminal 51a and the other contact terminal 51b are moved. The power supply from the battery 55 to the electronic board 23 is cut off.

The connection wire 91 (electrical conductive wire) has one end connected to the grip portion 31 (made of metal) and the other end connected to the front end side flange member 64 of the four shaft portions 61. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6 in particular, the connection of the connecting wire 91 to the front end side flange member 64 is made by solder 94 to the surface 64a (the upper surface in this case) of the front end side flange member 64. The distal end side flange member 64 is fitted in the proximal end side shaft portion 63 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. However, due to the contact between the distal end side flange member 64 and the proximal end side shaft portion 63 (the proximal end side shaft portion 63 is fixed). Any part of the inner peripheral surface of the through hole of the distal end side flange member 64 to be fitted is in contact with any part of the outer peripheral surface of the base end side shaft portion 63.), the connecting wire 91, the solder 94 Thus, electrical conduction with the distal end side flange member 64, the proximal end side shaft portion 63, the distal end side shaft portion 65, the upper pressing portion 75, the lower pressing portion 73, and the lower surface 73b is reliably formed. In addition to this electrical conduction, the base end side shaft portion 63 (the base end side flange member 62 is soldered via the helical spring 66 and the base end side flange member 62 from the front end side flange member 64. ) To the base end side shaft portion 63, the front end side shaft portion 65, the upper pressing portion 75, the lower pressing portion 73, and the lower surface 73b. A more reliable electrical continuity is established.
As a result, in a state where the user (not shown) of the apparatus 11 is holding the metal holding part 31 by hand, the user's (not shown) hand and the lower surface 73b of the lower pressing part 73 are electrically and reliably connected. Since it is conductive, even if the lower surface 73b approaches or comes into contact with the detection surface (detection surface) of the touch panel of the capacitive touch panel (not shown), the touch panel can detect (detect) the approach and contact well. it can.

Next, a method of using the present apparatus 11 will be described with reference to FIG. As will be described later, FIG. 8A is a front view showing the gripping portion 31 of the apparatus 11 held by the user 201 (not shown) of the apparatus 11 and FIG. It is DD sectional drawing (partially abbreviate | omitted).
First, as shown in FIG. 8A, a user (not shown) of the device 11 grips the metal grip portion 31 of the device 11 with the hand 201.
Next, as shown in FIG. 8B, a user (not shown) holds the grip portion 31 with the hand 201 and the contact portion 41 (outer contact portion 46, inner contact portion 42) of the apparatus 11. Is arranged so as to be in contact with the detection surface 303 (substantially coincides with the reference plane P) of the touch panel 301 (specifically, the lower surface 46b and the lower surface 42b are in contact with the detection surface 303).
When the gripper 31 is pushed down in the direction of the detection surface 303 of the touch panel 301 against the biasing force of the spring 57 by the hand 201, the one contact terminal 51a and the other contact terminal 51b come into contact with each other, and the switch 51 is turned on. Electricity is supplied from the battery 55 to the electronic substrate 23. By supplying electricity to the electronic board 23, energization occurs in each actuator 81 at a predetermined timing, and the pressing portion 71 presses (contacts) the detection surface 303 of the touch panel 301 with a predetermined pattern. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8B, the lower surface 73 b of the left pressing portion 71 among the pair of left and right pressing portions 71 illustrated presses the detection surface 303 of the touch panel 301. In a state where the lower surface 73b of the pressing part 71 presses the detection surface 303 of the touch panel, the user's (not shown) hand 201 and the lower surface 73b of the lower pressing part 73 are electrically connected. Even if it is a capacitive system, the touch panel 301 can detect the approach or contact of the lower surface 73b well, and the lower surface 73b presses the detection surface 303 of the touch panel. Since the touch panel 301 can detect the contact of 73b well, the apparatus 11 can be used smoothly and reliably regardless of the type of the touch panel 301. Note that the touch panel 301 detects that the pressing unit 71 presses the detection surface 303 of the touch panel according to a predetermined pattern, and the detection signal is transmitted to a control unit (usually built in a computer (for example, a mobile phone). And a built-in personal computer, a so-called tablet terminal, etc.)), and the control unit responds to the input detection signal. Process. In addition, when the lower surface 73b of the pressing part 71 is pressing the detection surface 303 of the touch panel 301, the lower pressing part 73 made of an elastic flexible material is elastically deformed, so that the detection surface 303 of the touch panel 301 is elastically deformed. Damage is prevented and reliable contact between the lower surface 73b and the detection surface 303 of the touch panel is maintained.
After the pressing unit 71 presses the detection surface 303 of the touch panel 301 according to a predetermined pattern, if the user (not shown) reduces or removes the force pressing the grip unit 31 toward the detection surface 303 of the touch panel, the grip unit 31 is moved upward by the urging force of the spring 57, the one contact terminal 51a and the other contact terminal 51b are separated, the switch 51 is cut off, and the electricity supply from the battery 55 to the electronic board 23 is cut off.

  As described above, in the apparatus 11, by pressing the grip portion 31 toward the detection surface 303 of the touch panel 301 against the urging force of the spring 57 by the hand 201, one contact terminal 51 a and the other contact terminal 51 b. And the switch 51 enters and electricity is supplied from the battery 55 to the electronic substrate 23 to operate. However, the switch 51 is moved by the relative displacement of the grip portion 31 relative to the main body portion 21 in this way. The switch is not limited to being intermittent, and any switch may be used as long as the user of the device 11 can easily and reliably switch the switch. As another example of the switch, (1) when the switch is provided at a position where the user can operate (for example, the switch is provided at a position where the user can operate while holding the grip portion. As an example, FIG. As shown, if a switch is provided on the upper surface 39 of the gripper 31 while the gripper 31 is gripped by the hand 201, the switch can be turned on by pressing the switch with the thumb of the hand 201.), (2) When the gripping state of the gripping part is electrically detected and the switch is turned on when any sound (for example, shout) is detected in the gripping state, (3) the gripping state of the gripping part is electrically detected. As an example, a case where the switch is turned on when the abutting portion 41 abuts for a predetermined time or more in the gripping state can be given.

As described above, the present apparatus 11 is a contact device for the touch panel detection surface that contacts the detection surface 303 of the touch panel 301, and includes at least three points (here, three points) on the detection surface 303 including the three points forming the apex of the triangle. Then, it is possible to take at least three points in the portion of the detection surface 303 with which the outer contact portion 46 comes into contact) (in this case, the outer contact portion 46) and the detection surface 303 The contact means (here, the lower surface 73b of the pressing portion 71) has a contact surface (outer contact portion 46) at the at least three points by being supported so as to be movable forward and backward with respect to the detection surface 303. The contact state (the lower surface 73 b) is in contact with the detection surface 303 and the contact portion (the lower surface 73 b) is separated from the detection surface 303. Contact means (here, including the distal end side shaft portion 65, the proximal end side shaft portion 63, the proximal end flange member 62, and the pressing portion 71), and contact means (distal end) Advancing / retracting means (here, actuator 81) that switches the contact state and the non-contact state by advancing and retracting the side shaft portion 65, the proximal end shaft portion 63, the proximal end flange member 62, and the pressing portion 71 with respect to the detection surface 303. And a helical spring 66).
9 shows the contact portion 346 of the contact means (outer contact portion 46), the contact portion 342 of the auxiliary contact means (inner contact portion 42), and the contact portion (pressing) on the detection surface 303 of the touch panel 301. It is the figure which showed the contact part 371 of the lower surface 73b) of the part 71. FIG. The abutting means (outer abutting portion 46) can select an infinite number of three points forming the apex of the triangle (three points forming the apex of the triangle existing in the abutting portion 346. As an example, the points P1, P2, At least three points (innumerable points existing in the contact portion 346) existing on the detection surface 303 including the point P3) contact the detection surface 303.

In the present apparatus 11, at least two (4 in this case) contact means (4 in this case) each independently take a contact state and a non-contact state, and the positions where the contact portion (lower surface 73b) contacts the detection surface 303 are different. The distal end side shaft portion 65, the proximal end side shaft portion 63, the proximal end side flange member 62 and the pressing portion 71) and at least two or more (4) contact means (distal end side shaft portion 65, proximal end side shaft portion 63, base And at least two (four in this case) advance / retreat means (actuator 81, helical spring 66) provided on each of the end-side flange member 62 and the pressing portion 71).
In the present apparatus 11, the at least two or more (4) contact means (the distal end side shaft portion 65, the proximal end side shaft portion 63, the proximal end side flange member 62, and the pressing portion 71) can be brought into contact with each other at different timings. It is.

In the present apparatus 11, a conductive material that can be touched by a user of the contact device (the present apparatus 11) (here, a user (not shown) grips with the hand 201) and can be touched by the user's hand 201 to be gripped. Is provided with a gripping means (here, the gripping portion 31) having a conductive portion (here, the gripping portion 31 outer surface), and the contact portion (the lower surface 73b) is formed of a conductive material (here, foamed polyethylene imparted with conductivity). The contact portion (the lower surface 73b) and the conductive portion (the outer surface of the grip portion 31) are electrically connected.
In the apparatus 11, contact means (the distal end side shaft portion 65, the proximal end side shaft portion 63, the proximal end side flange member 62, and the pressing portion 71) are electrically connected to the conductive portion (the outer surface of the grip portion 31). The support rods (here, the distal end side shaft portion 65 and the proximal end side shaft portion 63), and the conductive material (here, which is attached to one end of the support rod (the distal end side shaft portion 65 and the proximal end side shaft portion 63) in a conductive manner. In this case, the support plate (here, the upper pressing portion 75) formed of metal is attached to the support plate (upper pressing portion 75) and has a contact portion (lower surface 73b), which is more flexible than the support plate (upper pressing portion 75). And a pad (here, the lower pressing portion 73) formed of a conductive material (foamed polyethylene imparted with conductivity).
In the apparatus 11, the conductive portion (the outer surface of the grip portion 31) is electrically connected (electrically connected via the connection line 91), and the support rod (the distal end side shaft portion 65 and the proximal end is connected). Including an external fitting member (here, the distal end side flange member 64) slidably fitted to the side shaft portion 63), and the conductive portion (the outer surface of the grip portion 31) via the external fitting member (the distal end side flange member 64). The support rod (the distal end side shaft portion 65 and the proximal end side shaft portion 63) is electrically connected.
In the present apparatus 11, a part of the outer surface of the support plate (upper pressing portion 75) and a part of the outer surface of the pad (lower pressing portion 73) are bonded via the adhesive layer 77 and the support plate (upper pressing portion 75). 75) The other part of the outer surface of 75) and the other part of the outer surface of the pad (lower pressing portion 73) are in direct contact, and one of the other parts of both protrudes toward the other. A portion (here, the truncated cone portion 75b) is formed, and a recess (concave portion 73h) for accommodating the projected portion (the truncated cone portion 75b) is formed on the other side.

In the present apparatus 11, the gripping means (gripping part 31) is moved relative to the contact means (outer contact part 46) in a predetermined direction (here, the direction approaching the contact means (outer contact part 46)). Advancing / retreating means (actuator 81, helical spring 66) is operated by displacing (the switch 51 is thereby turned ON).
In the present apparatus 11, the contact means (outer contact portion 46) is part or all of the closed curve along the detection surface 303 that ties around the at least three points (innumerable points existing in the contact portion 346). (Here, all) abuts on the detection surface 303.
In the present apparatus 11, when the abutting means (outer abutting portion 46) abuts on the detecting surface 303, the portion of the detecting surface 303 existing in the closed curve (in FIG. 9, the region surrounded by the abutting portion 346). 391) is provided with auxiliary contact means (in this case, the inner contact portion 42).
In the present apparatus 11, a contact portion (lower surface 73b) is formed on a portion of the detection surface 303 (region 391 surrounded by the abutting portion 346 in FIG. 9) existing inside the closed curve (rectangular shape (here, approximately square)). Are in contact.
In the present apparatus 11, the advancing / retreating means (actuator 81, helical spring 66) contacts the contact means (the distal end side shaft portion 65, the proximal end side shaft portion 63, the proximal end side flange member 62, and the pressing portion 71). An urging spring (a helical spring 66) that makes a transition from one state (here, a contact state) in a non-contact state to the other state (here, a non-contact state), and an attachment of the urging spring (a helical spring 66) And a drive section (actuator 81) that makes a transition from the other state (here, the non-contact state) to the one state (here, the contact state) against the force.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Main apparatus 21 Main part 21a Upper surface 21b Lower surface 22 Internal space 23 Electronic board 24 Substrate support plate 25 Inner fitting part 26 Shaft through-hole 27 Contact plate 31 Holding part 32 Fixing plate 39 Upper surface 41 Contact part 42 Inner contact part 42b Lower surface 46 Outer contact portion 46b Lower surface 51 Switch 51a One contact terminal 51b The other contact terminal 55 Battery 57 Spring 58 Switch rod 61 Shaft portion 62 Base end side flange member 63 Base end side shaft portion 64 Front end side flange member 64a Surface 64b Surface 65 Front shaft side 66 Helical spring 71 Pressing portion 73 Lower pressing portion 73b Lower surface 73h Recessed portion 75 Upper pressing portion 75a Straight cylindrical portion 75b Frustum portion 77 Adhesive layer 81 Actuator 83 Sleeve 91 Connection line 94 Solder 201 Hand 301 Touch panel 303 Sensing surface 342 Portion 346 contact portion 371 contact portion 391 region

Claims (12)

A device for touching a touch panel detection surface that contacts the detection surface of the touch panel,
A contact means for contacting the detection surface at at least three points existing on the detection surface including the three points forming the apex of the triangle;
The contact portion is in contact with the detection surface in a state where the contact means is in contact with the detection surface at the three points by having a contact portion that contacts the detection surface and being supported so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the detection surface. Contact means that can take a contact state that is a state and a non-contact state in which the contact portion is separated from the detection surface;
Advancing / retreating means for advancing / retreating the contact means relative to the detection surface and switching between a contact state and a non-contact state;
A contact device comprising: At least two or more contact means, each of which independently takes a contact state and a non-contact state, wherein the contact portions are in contact with the detection surface;
The contact device according to claim 1, further comprising at least two or more advancing / retreating means provided in each of at least two or more contact means.   The contact device according to claim 2, wherein the at least two or more contact means can be in contact with each other at different timings. A gripping means having a conductive portion formed of a conductive material that is gripped by a user of the contact device and that can be touched by a user's hand to grip,
The contact portion is formed of a conductive material,
The contact device according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion and the conductive portion are electrically connected.   A contact means includes a support rod electrically connected to the conductive portion, a support plate formed of a conductive material attached to one end of the support rod so as to be conductive, and a support portion attached to the support plate and having a contact portion. The contact device according to claim 4, comprising a pad formed of a conductive material that is softer than the plate. Including an outer fitting member electrically connected to the conductive portion and slidably fitted to the support rod;
The contact device according to claim 5, wherein the conductive portion and the support rod are electrically connected via the outer fitting member. Part of the outer surface of the support plate and part of the outer surface of the pad are bonded via an adhesive layer, and the other part of the outer surface of the support plate and the other part of the outer surface of the pad are in direct contact. ,
The contact according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a convex portion projecting toward the other is formed on one of the other parts of both, and a concave portion for accommodating the convex portion is formed on the other. apparatus.   The contact device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the advance / retreat means operates by displacing the gripping means in a predetermined direction relative to the contact means.   The contact according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the contact means abuts the detection surface along a part or all of a closed curve along the detection surface that ties around the at least three points. apparatus.   The contact device according to claim 9, further comprising auxiliary contact means that comes into contact with a portion of the detection surface existing inside the closed curve when the contact means comes into contact with the detection surface.   The contact device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the contact portion is in contact with a portion of the detection surface existing inside the closed curve.   The advancing / retreating means shifts the contact means from one of the contact state and the non-contact state to the other state, and from the other state to the one state against the biasing force of the biasing spring. The contact device according to claim 1, further comprising: a drive unit that makes a transition.

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