JP2015191263A - display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display device that allows a user to feel a push-in feeling when the user touches a display screen.SOLUTION: A display device 101 includes: a liquid crystal panel 40 that displays information; a glass substrate 10 that is arranged opposite to the liquid crystal panel 40; an ITO layer 30 that is provided between the liquid crystal panel 40 and glass substrate 10 to detect the position of a touch on the glass substrate 10; and a transparent gel layer 20 that is provided between the liquid crystal panel 40 and glass substrate 10 and can be elastically deformed in the surface direction in association with deformation in the surface direction of the glass substrate 10 by a pressing force onto the glass substrate 10.

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device capable of detecting a contact position.

  A light-transmitting gel layer in which conductive powder and insulating powder larger than the conductive powder are dispersed is formed between the upper base material on which the upper electrode layer is formed and the lower base material on which the lower electrode layer is formed. When the upper surface of the upper base material is pressed, the upper base material and the light-transmitting gel layer are elastically deformed in the thickness direction, and the upper electrode layer and the lower electrode layer are electrically connected to each other so that the pressing position can be detected. A touch panel is known in which the upper substrate and the light-transmitting gel layer return to their original states when removed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-312124

  However, in the touch panel of Patent Document 1, the upper base material and the light-transmitting gel layer are only elastically deformed in the thickness direction by a pressing operation, and the touch feeling in the surface direction when the touch panel is pressed or a joystick. There is a problem that the slide feeling is poor.

  The display device according to claim 1 is provided with a display panel for displaying information, a transparent substrate opposed to the display panel, a contact between the display panel and the transparent substrate, and a contact on the transparent substrate. A contact detection layer for detecting a position; and between the display panel and the transparent substrate, the surface when at least a part of the transparent substrate is displaced in the surface direction by pressing against the transparent substrate. And an elastic layer that is elastically deformable in a direction.

  According to the display device of the first aspect of the present invention, at least a part of the transparent substrate is displaced in the surface direction by pressing the transparent substrate, so that a feeling of indentation can be realized.

It is sectional drawing which shows typically the laminated structure of the display apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, Fig.1 (a) shows the state which is not applying pressing force, FIG.1 (b) is pressing force. The state where is added. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the laminated structure of the display apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, Fig.2 (a) shows the state which is not applying pressing force, FIG.2 (b) is pressing force. The state where is added. It is the fragmentary sectional view which expands and shows typically the laminated structure of the display apparatus concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the laminated structure which added the buffer member in the display apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which applied the pressing force. FIG. 5A is a plan view schematically showing the appearance of a display device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5A shows the entire arrangement of pins and wedges, and FIG. 5B shows the wedges to the left. FIG. 5C shows a state in which the wedge is moved to the right. It is an example of the information (game) displayed on the display screen of the display apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a modification of the display apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment, and is sectional drawing which shows typically a deformation | transformation state when pressing force is applied to a display apparatus. It is a modification regarding the laminated structure of the display apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment, and is sectional drawing which shows a laminated structure typically.

Hereinafter, a configuration of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
-First embodiment-
Referring to FIG. 1A, a display device 101 according to the first embodiment includes a transparent elastic layer (transparent gel layer) 20 and a transparent conductive layer (ITO layer) between a glass substrate 10 and a liquid crystal panel 40. 30 and a laminated structure sandwiching 30 and functions as a so-called touch panel.

The glass substrate 10 is made of a transparent hard material, has a flat plate shape, is disposed on the outermost side of the display device 101, and the surface thereof is a surface that the user touches with a finger, a touch pen, or the like. F <b> 1 represents a finger lightly contacting the glass substrate 10.
The transparent elastic layer (transparent gel layer) 20 has elasticity that deforms when a pressing force is applied and returns to its original state when the pressing force is removed. As such an elastically deformable transparent resin, for example, urethane or polyethylene is used.

The transparent conductive layer (ITO layer) 30 is a grid electrode provided on the upper surface of the liquid crystal panel 40 and has, for example, a two-layer structure of a layer that detects a position in the X direction and a layer that detects a position in the Y direction. . For example, in the capacitance type position detection, the electric field or the capacitance changes at the position where the user's finger F1 touches the glass substrate 10. The ITO layer 30 detects the contact position using this change.
The liquid crystal panel 40 encloses a liquid crystal material between two transparent substrates each provided with an electrode, and displays information by controlling the alignment state of liquid crystal molecules depending on the presence or absence of a voltage between the electrodes or the level of the voltage.

  Accordingly, the display device 101 can select and input information by designating a position on the display screen, that is, a position of information, by touching with the finger F1. The glass substrate 10, the transparent gel layer 20, the ITO layer 30, and the liquid crystal panel 40 are in close contact with each other and do not separate in normal use.

  With reference to FIG. 1B, the state of the display device 101 when the user touches and presses the surface of the glass substrate 10 to operate the display device 101 will be described. As described above, F1 is a finger that is lightly in contact with the glass substrate 10, and F2 is a finger that touches the glass substrate 10 and applies a pressing force P thereto. In FIG. 1B, for convenience of illustration, the position of the finger F1 and the position of the finger F2 on the glass substrate 10 are shown apart from each other, but they are actually substantially the same position. The same applies to the following drawings.

  When the user touches and presses the surface of the glass substrate 10, generally, the pressing force is applied toward the front of the fingertip without being perpendicular to the glass substrate 10. That is, the pressing force P acts on the surface of the glass substrate 10 in an oblique direction. For this reason, the transparent gel layer 20 having the most flexibility among the members is deformed both in the thickness direction and in the surface direction x, but the deformation amount in the surface direction x is particularly large.

  In the display device 101 according to the first embodiment, it is possible to realize a feeling of pressing (a feeling of pressing) when the transparent gel layer 20 is greatly deformed in the surface direction x.

-Second Embodiment-
The display device 102 of the second embodiment is different from the display device 101 of the first embodiment in that the limiting member 50 that surrounds the side surfaces of the glass substrate 10, the transparent gel layer 20, the ITO layer 30, and the liquid crystal panel 40 is provided. In addition to the provision of a new space, a space, that is, a gap G is provided between the side surfaces of both the glass substrate 10 and the transparent gel layer 20 and the inner surface of the limiting member 50.
Since the glass substrate 10, the transparent gel layer 20, the ITO layer 30, and the liquid crystal panel 40 of the display device 102 are common to the respective members of the display device 101, description thereof will be omitted and the above-described differences will be described.

  FIG. 2A is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1A and shows a state where the surface of the glass substrate 10 is lightly touched with the finger F1, and the transparent gel layer 20 is not deformed. FIG. 2B is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1B, and shows a state in which a pressing force P is applied to the glass substrate 10 with the finger F <b> 2. With this pressing force P, the transparent gel layer 20 is A deformation occurs in which the upper surface moves in the surface direction x (left direction in the figure).

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the left side of the cross-sectional view of FIG. When the pressing force P is applied, the lower surface of the transparent gel layer 20, that is, the contact surface 20B with the ITO layer 30 does not move as it is, but the surface direction x of the transparent gel layer 20 increases from the lower surface to the upper surface of the transparent gel layer 20. The amount of deformation increases, and the deformation that moves the most to the left on the contact surface 20A with the glass substrate 10 occurs. This deformation stops when the side surface 10 </ b> A of the glass substrate 10 contacts the inner surface of the limiting member 50. That is, the deformation amount in the surface direction x of the transparent gel layer 20 is regulated by the length of the gap G.
In the display device 102, at the moment when the side surface 10A of the glass substrate 10 comes into contact with the inner surface of the restriction member 50, a light impact (click feeling) can be realized.

  4 is a view corresponding to the display device 102 of FIG. 2B, and a thin urethane sheet 51 having rubber elasticity is newly provided on the entire inner surface of the limiting member 50. It is. The thickness of the urethane sheet 51 is less than the length of the gap G, and there is a space between the urethane sheet 51 and the side surfaces of both the glass substrate 10 and the transparent gel layer 20.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the user applies a pressing force P with the finger F2, the upper surface of the transparent gel layer 20, that is, the close contact surface with the glass substrate 10, moves to the left most, and the side surface of the glass substrate 10 is a urethane sheet. At the moment of contact with 51, a light impact (click feeling) can be realized. The click feeling at this time is softer than that when the urethane sheet 51 is not used because of the rubber elasticity of the urethane sheet 51. Thus, the click feeling can be adjusted by selecting the thickness and hardness of the cushioning material such as the urethane sheet 51. A mechanical component such as a leaf spring can also be used as such a cushioning material.

  In the display device 102 according to the second embodiment, not only the above-described pressing feeling but also a clicking feeling can be realized. Further, the display device 103 can adjust the click feeling by using a cushioning material such as the urethane sheet 51.

-Third embodiment-
In the display device 104 according to the third embodiment, the length of the gap G regulated by the limiting member 50 is variable in the display device 102 according to the second embodiment. That is, in the display device 102 of the second embodiment, the movable range of the glass substrate 10 is constant, but in the display device 104 of the third embodiment, the movable range of the glass substrate 10 is arbitrarily changed. be able to.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the structure and operation of the display device 104 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 5A is a plan view showing the entire arrangement of pins and wedges, FIG. 5B shows a state in which the wedge is moved to the left, and FIG. 5C shows a state in which the wedge is moved to the right. Indicates the state.
In the display device 104 shown in FIG. 5A, pins 52, wedges 53, and a drive unit 54 are provided at four locations (four sides) between the glass substrate 10 and the limiting member 50 surrounding the glass substrate 10.

  The pin 52 is fixed to the housing of the display device 104, and the wedge 53 is movable while the oblique side of the right triangle is in contact with the pin 52. The drive unit 54 includes a solenoid 54 a and a connecting member 54 b, and the connecting member 54 b is coupled to the wedge 53. When the connecting member 54b is driven by the power generated by the solenoid 54a, the wedge 53 slides. Note that the drive unit 54 may be disposed below the liquid crystal panel 40, for example, which is not visible to the user's eyes.

  FIGS. 5B and 5C are diagrams showing the pin 52 and the wedge 53 arranged on the upper side in the display device 104 shown in FIG. 5A as representatives. FIG. 5B shows a state in which the wedge 53 moves in the x1 direction, and a gap G having a length G1 is generated between the wedge 53 and the glass substrate 10. FIG. 5C shows a state in which the wedge 53 moves in the x2 direction and a gap G having a length G2 is generated between the wedge 53 and the glass substrate 10. The gap length G2 is shorter than the gap length G1. Thus, the length of the gap G can be continuously changed by sliding the slope of the wedge 53 along the pin 52.

  Since the length of the gap G can be continuously changed, the above-mentioned click feeling becomes various. The gap G can be narrowed to give a hard-feeling click feeling, and conversely, the gap G can be widened to give a soft-feeling click feeling. For example, when applied to a game, the enjoyment of the game can be doubled.

  FIG. 6 shows one scene of the game displayed on the display screen 104 </ b> A of the display device 104. In the display device 104, a gap G is provided around the glass substrate 10, and the glass substrate 10 can be moved in all directions obliquely up and down, left and right, and up to the length of the gap G.

  FIG. 6A shows a scene of a game in which the ball 42 is skipped by the pachinko 41 and hits the target 43. FIG. 6A shows a scene in which the user touches the position of the ball 42 with the finger F3 and slides in the arrow direction S1 while pressing the glass substrate 10. FIG. The glass substrate 10 moves in the arrow direction S1 with the length of the gap G as a limit.

  FIG. 6B shows a moment when the ball 42 is blown aiming at the target 43, and is a scene where the user slides the finger F3 in the arrow direction S2 while pressing the glass substrate 10. FIG. The glass substrate 10 moves in the arrow direction S2 with the length of the gap G as a limit, and the balls 42 jump out.

  In such a game, when it is desired to slide greatly in the arrow direction S1 as in the scene of FIG. 6A, the length of the gap G is increased, and in the direction of the arrow as in the scene of FIG. 6B. If it is desired to slide in S2, the game can be further enjoyed by reducing the length of the gap G. Since the display device 104 shown in FIG. 5 can adjust the length of the gap G, it is suitable for the above-described game or the like. If a program for setting the length of the gap G is inserted in the above game software, the length of the gap G can be changed at any time by automatically driving the drive unit 54 while the game is in progress.

  The display device 104 according to the third embodiment can realize not only a pressing feeling but also a clicking feeling like the display devices 102 and 103 according to the second embodiment. In the display device 104, since the length of the gap G is variable, various click feelings can be realized. Furthermore, by using a cushioning material such as the urethane sheet 51 in combination, various click feelings can be realized.

Hereinafter, modifications of the above embodiment will be described.
(1) In the display devices 101 to 104 in the first to third embodiments, the transparent and hard glass substrate 10 is used, but a transparent and hard resin substrate may be used instead of the glass substrate 10. A transparent and flexible resin substrate may be used.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a modification of the display device 101 shown in FIG. In the display device 105 shown in FIG. 7, a transparent and flexible resin substrate is used instead of the glass substrate 10, and the user touches and presses the surface of the resin substrate 11 in order to operate the display device 105. The state of time is shown. F1 is a finger lightly touching the resin substrate 11, and F2 is a finger touching the resin substrate 11 and applying a pressing force P. Since the resin substrate 11 is made of silicone rubber and has flexibility, a partial deformation 11a caused by the action of the pressing force P is seen in front of the finger F2 (leftward in the figure). Since this partial deformation 11a is an elastic deformation, it returns to its original shape when the pressing force P is removed.
By applying the pressing force P, both the resin substrate 11 and the transparent gel layer 20 are deformed in the surface direction x. However, the resin substrate 11 is harder than the transparent gel layer 20, and the deformation amount of the resin substrate 11 is the deformation amount of the transparent gel layer 20. Smaller than

(2) In the display devices 101 to 104 in the first to third embodiments and the display device 105 of the modified example, the ITO layer 30 is disposed on the liquid crystal panel 40 side from the transparent gel layer 20, but FIG. As shown, the transparent gel layer 20 may be disposed on the glass substrate 10 side or the resin substrate 11 side.

FIG. 8 is a diagram corresponding to the display device 102 shown in FIG. The display device 106 of FIG. 8 has a laminated structure in which the glass substrate 10 or the resin substrate 11, the ITO layer 30, the transparent gel layer 20, and the liquid crystal panel 40 are arranged in this order. 30 is provided close to the glass substrate 10 or the resin substrate 11 by the thickness of the transparent gel layer 20.
For this reason, the contact position of the fingers F1 and F2 can be detected more accurately.

The display devices 101 to 104 and the display devices 105 and 106 according to the first to third embodiments are particularly effective when applied to relatively small electronic devices such as smartphones.
In the above-described embodiment and modification, the liquid crystal panel 40 is used as the display panel. However, an organic EL panel, electronic paper (e-Paper), or the like can also be used.
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above as long as the characteristics are not impaired.

10: Glass substrate 11: Resin substrate 20: Transparent elastic layer (transparent gel layer) 30: Transparent conductive layer (ITO layer)
40: Liquid crystal panel 50: Restriction member 51: Urethane sheet 52: Pin 53: Wedge 54: Drive unit 101-106: Display device F1-F3: Finger G: Gap P: Pressing force

Claims (10)

A display panel for displaying information;
A transparent substrate disposed opposite to the display panel;
A contact detection layer provided between the display panel and the transparent substrate for detecting a contact position on the transparent substrate;
An elastic layer provided between the display panel and the transparent substrate and capable of being elastically deformed in the surface direction when at least a part of the transparent substrate is displaced in the surface direction by pressing the transparent substrate; A display device comprising: The display device according to claim 1,
The elastic layer has one surface fixed to the transparent substrate, the other surface fixed to the display panel, and a side surface open. The display device according to claim 1,
A display device, further comprising a limiting member that is provided at a predetermined distance from a side surface of the transparent substrate and limits a displacement amount of the transparent substrate in the surface direction due to pressing against the transparent substrate. The display device according to claim 3,
The display device according to claim 1, wherein the limiting member includes a buffering member that reduces an impact when the transparent substrate contacts the limiting member. The display device according to claim 3 or 4,
The display device, wherein the limiting member is provided with the predetermined distance being variable. The display device according to claim 5,
The display device further comprising a distance changing unit that changes the predetermined distance according to information displayed on the display panel. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The transparent substrate is made of a hard material or a flexible resin. The display device according to claim 7,
The display device, wherein the transparent substrate made of the flexible resin has a hardness higher than that of the elastic layer. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The display device, wherein the contact detection layer is disposed closer to the display panel than the elastic layer. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The display device, wherein the contact detection layer is disposed closer to the transparent substrate than the elastic layer.

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