JP2017068444A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device capable of forming a conductor by cutting a conductive film by means of laser excluding a decorative layer.SOLUTION: The input device includes a base 22, a decorative layer 23, a stopper layer 24 and a conductor layer 25. The decorative layer is laminated over the surface of the base and has a transmittance in a visible light area smaller than that of the base. The stopper layer is laminated over the decorative layer and is formed with a groove 24A. The conductor layer is laminated over the stopper layer and is formed being interposed by the groove. By setting the transmittance to a laser beam in the stopper layer to be smaller than that in the decorative layer, the decorative layer is prevented from being cut off when forming conductor patterns 25A and 25B by means of laser.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device used for various electronic devices and the like.

  Hereinafter, a conventional input device will be described. A conventional input device includes a base, a decorative layer, and a conductor layer. The base has a first surface and a second surface. The second surface is formed opposite to the first surface. The decorative layer is laminated on the first surface and has a black color. The conductor layer includes a first conductor pattern and a second conductor pattern. Both the first conductor pattern and the second conductor pattern are laminated on the decorative layer. Note that the first conductor pattern and the second conductor pattern are colored. In the above configuration, the first conductor pattern and the second conductor pattern are formed by cutting the conductive film with a laser.

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

JP 2013-33558 A

  However, the conventional input device has a problem that when the conductive film is cut with a laser to form the first conductor pattern and the second conductor pattern, the decoration layer is cut off.

  Therefore, the present invention solves this problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an input device that can suppress the occurrence of cuts and scratches in the decorative layer.

  In order to achieve this object, the input device of the present invention includes a base, a first layer, a second layer, and a conductor layer. The first layer is laminated on the surface of the substrate. Note that the first layer has a smaller transmittance in the visible light region than the base. The second layer is laminated on the first layer. A groove is formed in the second layer. The conductor layer is laminated on the second layer. And the conductor layer is provided on both sides of the groove. In the above configuration, the second layer has a smaller transmittance with respect to the laser light than the first layer, or the second layer has a lower visible light region or laser light than the first layer. The absorption rate of is large. With this configuration, the intended purpose can be achieved.

  As described above, the second layer having a smaller transmittance with respect to the laser beam than the first layer is laminated on the first layer of the input device of the present invention. With this configuration, when the conductor pattern is formed by the laser, the first layer can be suppressed from being cut off. As a result, it is possible to provide an input device that can suppress the occurrence of cuts and scratches in the first layer.

The principal part expanded sectional view of the input device in an embodiment of the invention The schematic diagram at the time of seeing the input device in embodiment of this invention from the back surface

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the input device 21 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram when the input device 21 is viewed from the back side. The input device 21 may be a touch panel, for example. Therefore, hereinafter, a case where the input device 21 is a touch panel will be described as an example. In this case, the input device 21 has an operation area 21A and a decoration area 21B. The operation area 21A is arranged in the center when the input device 21 is viewed from the front. And the decoration area | region 21B is arrange | positioned at the outer edge part of the input device 21, when the input device 21 is seen from the front. The decoration area 21B may be arranged so as to surround the operation area 21A, for example. Note that the input device is not limited to a touch panel, and may be various electrostatic touch sensors.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the input device 21 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the input device 21. In addition, FIG. 1 has shown the state which cut | disconnected the input device 21 in the decorating area | region 21B shown in FIG. In addition, since the component which attached | subjected the same code | symbol in this Embodiment performs the same operation | movement, re-explanation may be abbreviate | omitted.

  The input device 21 includes a base 22, a first layer 23 (hereinafter referred to as a decoration layer 23), a second layer 24 (hereinafter referred to as a stopper layer 24), and a conductor layer 25. The decorative layer 23 is laminated on the surface of the base body 22. The decorative layer 23 has a lower transmittance for the visible light region than the base 22. The decoration layer 23 is provided to make it difficult for the operator (not shown) of the input device 21 and the person who views the images and characters displayed on the input device 21 to visually recognize the conductor layer 25. . Therefore, the decorative layer 23 is preferably dark. The decorative layer 23 is preferably black, for example. In this case, the decorative layer 23 contains a black pigment. As the black pigment, for example, carbon can be used.

  The stopper layer 24 is laminated on the decorative layer 23. A groove 24 </ b> A is formed in the stopper layer 24. The stopper layer 24 has a smaller transmittance with respect to the laser light than the decorative layer 23. In this case, the color of the stopper layer 24 is preferably the same as the color of the decorative layer 23 or darker than the color of the decorative layer 23. Therefore, the stopper layer 24 is also preferably black. Accordingly, the stopper layer 24 includes a black pigment (not shown). As the black pigment, for example, carbon or triiron tetroxide can be used.

  The conductor layer 25 is stacked on the stopper layer 24. The conductor layer 25 is provided across the groove 24A. For example, the conductor layer 25 may include a conductor pattern 25A and a conductor pattern 25B. In this case, the conductor pattern 25A and the conductor pattern 25B are arranged with the groove 24A interposed therebetween.

  As described above, since the stopper layer 24 is provided between the conductor layer 25 and the decoration layer 23, the laser cuts the decoration layer 23 when the conductor pattern 25A or the conductor pattern 25B is formed by the laser. This can be suppressed. In addition, since the groove 24A, the conductor pattern 25A, and the conductor pattern 25B can be processed by laser, the width of the groove 24A, the conductor pattern 25A, and the conductor pattern 25B can be reduced. Therefore, the decoration region 21B can be narrowed. As a result, the operation area 21A can be enlarged.

  Next, the input device 21 will be described in more detail. The position where the detection target (not shown) contacts can be detected in the operation area 21A. The detection target object is, for example, a stylus pen or a finger (not shown) of a user who operates the input device 21. Note that the detection target is formed of a conductor.

  In the operation area 21A, a sensor electrode 26 is disposed on the base 22 in order to detect the position touched by the detection object. With this configuration, capacitive coupling is formed between the sensor electrode 26, the base body 22, and the detection target. A display device (not shown) is disposed on the back surface of the input device 21. As the display device, for example, a liquid crystal display device or the like can be used. Therefore, it is preferable that the base 22 and the sensor electrode 26 have light transmittance in the visible light range. The substrate 22 is, for example, a transparent PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film. The sensor electrode 26 is transparent and conductive. Therefore, a material such as ITO (indium tin oxide) can be used for the sensor electrode 26, for example. With this configuration, images and characters displayed on the display device can be displayed via the input device.

  A wiring electrode 27 is installed in the decoration region 21B. One end of the wiring electrode 27 is electrically connected to the sensor electrode 26. On the other hand, a connector electrode 28 is formed at the other end of the wiring electrode 27. The connector electrode 28 is electrically connected to a control circuit (not shown). And the control circuit has detected the position which the detection target object contacted.

  Unlike the operation area 21A, the decoration area 21B is opaque. Therefore, the decoration area | region 21B is made opaque by forming the decoration layer 23 in the decoration area | region 21B. With this configuration, the operator can hardly see the wiring electrode 27 from the surface side of the base 22. In this case, the wiring electrode 27 can be formed of an opaque material. Therefore, although the wiring electrode 27 is opaque, a metal material having high conductivity can be used. For the wiring electrode 27, for example, a paste or a pigment containing silver or the like can be used.

In the decoration region 21B, a decoration layer 23 of any color or pattern is formed. The color, pattern, and the like of the decorative layer 23 can be visually recognized from the first surface 22A side of the base 22. That is, the decoration layer 23 determines the color and pattern of the frame region of the apparatus. For example, when the color of the frame region is black, the black decorative layer 23 is provided in the decorative region 21B. Also,
The sublimation temperature of the stopper layer 24 with respect to the laser light is preferably higher than the sublimation temperature of the decorative layer 23 with respect to the laser light. With this configuration, the stopper layer 24 can be prevented from being decomposed by the heat of the laser. As a result, it is possible to further suppress the laser from cutting off the decorative layer 23.

Therefore, the resin that forms the stopper layer 24 is compared to the resin that forms the decorative layer 23.
It is preferable that the thermal decomposition temperature is high. The decorative layer 23 can be formed of, for example, a urethane resin. Polyester resin has a higher thermal decomposition temperature than urethane resin or the like. Therefore, the stopper layer 24 is preferably formed of a polyester resin. With this configuration, the sublimation temperature of the stopper layer 24 increases.

  The black pigment contained in the stopper layer 24 is preferably triiron tetroxide. Triiron tetroxide has a high oxidation temperature. Therefore, the sublimation temperature of the stopper layer 24 is further increased because the stopper layer 24 can be prevented from being sublimated by the heat of the laser.

  Therefore, the inventors made a sample containing 9% by weight of triiron tetroxide as a pigment in a polyester resin and a sample containing 9% by weight of carbon as a pigment in a urethane resin, and measured their sublimation temperatures. doing. The sublimation temperature of the sample containing triiron tetroxide as a pigment in the polyester resin was 500 ° C. On the other hand, the sublimation temperature of the sample containing carbon as a pigment in urethane resin was 430 ° C. The value of the sublimation temperature can be measured using, for example, a THERMO PLUS TG8120 manufactured by Rigaku Corporation.

  With the above configuration, the sublimation temperature of the stopper layer 24 can be made higher than the sublimation temperature of the decorative layer 23. Therefore, the stopper layer 24 can suppress excision by the laser. As a result, it is possible to further protect the laser from cutting off the decorative layer 23.

  The conductor pattern 25A or the conductor pattern 25B is processed by a laser. In this case, the width of the groove 24A is preferably not less than 10 micrometers and not more than 50 micrometers. Since the width of the groove 24A is 10 micrometers or more, the parasitic capacitance between the conductor pattern 25A and the conductor pattern 25B can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to suppress interference between signals passing through the conductor pattern 25A and the conductor pattern 25B. Furthermore, since the width of the groove 24A is 10 micrometers or more, the occurrence of migration between the conductor pattern 25A and the conductor pattern 25B can be suppressed. Moreover, since the width | variety of the groove | channel 24A shall be 50 micrometers or less, the decoration area | region 21B can be narrowed. Therefore, the operation area 21A can be enlarged. Since the groove 24A is formed by a laser, it can be formed with a width that is difficult to form by printing such as 10 micrometers or more and 50 micrometers or less.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the width | variety of the conductor pattern 25A or the conductor pattern 25B is 10 micrometers or more and 50 micrometers or less. Since the width of the conductor pattern 25A or the conductor pattern 25B is 50 micrometers or less, the decoration region 21B can be narrowed. Therefore, the operation area 21A can be enlarged. Since the conductor pattern 25A and the conductor pattern 25B are formed by a laser, they can be formed with a narrow width that is difficult to form by printing such as 10 micrometers or more and 50 micrometers or less.

  Furthermore, the conductor pattern 25A and the conductor pattern 25B may have light transmittance with respect to the visible light range. Also in this case, the stopper layer 24 suppresses excision of the decorative layer by the laser. Therefore, it can suppress that the decoration layer 23 is excised with a laser also with respect to the conductive pattern 25A and the conductive pattern 25B which have the light transmittance.

  The stopper layer 24 has a low transmittance with respect to the laser light as compared with the decorative layer 23, but is not limited to this configuration, and may have a low absorption rate with respect to the laser light as compared with the decorative layer 23. . In this case, the stopper layer 24 can also be formed by reducing the absorptance with respect to light having a wavelength in the visible light region as compared with the decorative layer 23.

  Therefore, the inventors have produced evaluation samples in order to measure the optical characteristics of the substrate 22, the decorative layer 23, and the stopper layer 24, respectively. An evaluation sample of the substrate 22 is formed of polyethylene terephthalate (hereinafter referred to as PET). The evaluation sample of the decoration layer 23 contains 0.5% by weight of carbon in the urethane resin. And the evaluation sample of the stopper layer 24 contains 0.5 weight% of triiron tetraoxide in the polyester resin. And the value of the reflectance with respect to visible light is measured with respect to these evaluation samples. Further, these evaluation samples measure the transmittance value for visible light and the transmittance value for laser light. The wavelength of visible light when measuring the optical characteristics is 550 NM. On the other hand, the wavelength of the laser beam when measuring the optical characteristics is 1064 NM. The transmittance and reflectance can be measured with V-570 manufactured by JASCO Corporation.

  The optical properties of the evaluation sample thus measured and the optical properties of the evaluation sample calculated from the measured values are shown in (Table 1). The absorption factor for visible light can be calculated from the measured transmittance for visible light and the reflectance for visible light. As a result of these measurements, it was confirmed that the visible light transmittance of the stopper layer 24 was smaller than the visible light transmittance of the decorative layer 23. Moreover, it has also confirmed that the transmittance | permeability with respect to the laser beam of the stopper layer 24 is small compared with the transmittance | permeability with respect to the laser beam of the decoration layer 23. FIG. Furthermore, from these measured values, it was confirmed that the absorption rate of the stopper layer 24 with respect to visible light was larger than the absorption rate of the decorative layer 23 with respect to visible light.

  Further, it was confirmed that the reflectance of the stopper layer 24 with respect to visible light was substantially the same as the reflectance of the decorative layer 23 with respect to visible light. Thus, the difference in the reflectance value for visible light between the decorative layer 23 and the stopper layer 24 is small. This is considered to be due to the fact that the reflectance value is largely controlled by the color tone. That is, when the decorative layer 23 and the stopper layer 24 are both black, light reflection is very small. Therefore, the difference in reflectance between the decorative layer 23 and the stopper layer 24 is small. Further, the decorative layer 23 and the stopper layer 24 have a small reflectance with respect to laser light. Therefore, it is considered that the difference in reflectance between the decorative layer 23 and the stopper layer 24 is small with respect to laser light. As a result, it is considered that the absorption rate of the stopper layer 24 with respect to the laser beam is larger than the absorption rate of the decorative layer 23 with respect to the laser beam.

  Then, it is confirmed that the stopper layer 24 is prevented from being processed up to the decoration layer 23 by laser light by using the base body 22 having such a configuration, the decoration layer 23, and the stopper layer 24. did it.

  As described above, the input device according to the present invention has an effect that when the conductive layer is cut by a laser to form a conductor layer, the decoration layer can be prevented from being cut off. It is useful as an input device used for various electronic devices.

21 Input Device 21A Operation Area 21B Decorating Area 22 Base 22A First Surface 23 Decorating Layer 24 Stopper Layer 24A Groove 25 Conductor Layer 25A Conductor Pattern 25B Conductor Pattern 26 Sensor Electrode 27 Wiring Electrode 28 Connector Electrode

Claims (11)

A substrate;
The first layer laminated on the surface of the substrate, the transmittance for the visible light region is small compared to the substrate,
A second layer laminated on the first layer, having a small transmittance with respect to the laser light compared to the first layer, and having a groove;
A conductor layer provided across the groove and laminated on the second layer,
Input device. The sublimation temperature for the laser light of the second layer is higher than the sublimation temperature for the laser light of the first layer.
The input device according to claim 1. The second layer was formed by a second resin having a higher thermal decomposition temperature than the first resin forming the first layer.
The input device according to claim 1. The second resin is a polyester resin.
The input device according to claim 1. The second layer contains an inorganic pigment,
The input device according to claim 1. The pigment is triiron tetroxide,
The input device according to claim 5. The width of the groove is 10 micrometers or more and 50 micrometers or less,
The input device according to claim 1. The conductor layer includes a conductor pattern of 10 micrometers or more and 50 micrometers or less,
The input device according to claim 1. The substrate had optical transparency in the visible light range;
The input device according to claim 1. A substrate;
The first layer laminated on the surface of the substrate, the transmittance for the visible light region is small compared to the substrate,
A higher absorption rate for the visible light region than the first layer, and having a groove, and a second layer laminated on the first layer;
A conductor layer provided across the groove and laminated on the second layer,
Input device. A substrate;
The first layer laminated on the surface of the substrate, the transmittance for the visible light region is small compared to the substrate,
A higher absorption rate for laser light than the first layer, and having a groove, and a second layer laminated on the first layer;
A conductor layer provided across the groove and laminated on the second layer,
Input device.

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