JP4159325B2

JP4159325B2 - Touch panel switch

Info

Publication number: JP4159325B2
Application number: JP2002247689A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 近夫長坂; 嘉昌國松; 良文本松
Original assignee: Polymatech Co Ltd
Current assignee: Polymatech Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-08-27
Filing date: 2002-08-27
Publication date: 2008-10-01
Anticipated expiration: 2022-08-27
Also published as: JP2004086626A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、例えば電子機器などにおいて、座標入力を行う平面型の入力装置として使用されるタッチパネルスイッチに関するものである。さらに詳しくは、電極の厚さに影響されることなく、基板上に対向して設けられた電極間の間隔を一定に保つことができる品質の優れたタッチパネルスイッチに関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、座標入力を行う装置として、平面型の入力部分を有するデジタル入力型のタッチパネルスイッチが用いられている。この種のタッチパネルスイッチの代表例としては、図２８（ａ）,（ｂ）に示すように、片面に直線状の帯状電極３６,３７が平行に延びるようにして多数形成された２つの基板３８,３９を、各々の帯状電極３６,３７が直交方向に延びるように格子状に配置して構成されている。これら帯状電極３６,３７の格子間の空間部には、無荷重時に上下の帯状電極間の間隔を一定に保って絶縁するためのスペーサ４０が設けられている。
【０００３】
例えば、特開平５−１１３８４３号公報には、上部基板及び下部基板が、両基板上に設けられたストライプ状電極が直交するように配置され、下部基板上の平行な電極間に形成されたドットスペーサを介して対向配置された座標入力装置が記載されている。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、上記のような従来のタッチパネルにおいては、スペーサ４０が、基板３８,３９上の帯状電極３６,３７が形成されていない位置に設けられている。このため、上下の帯状電極３６,３７間の間隔は、スペーサ４０の高さ及び上下の帯状電極３６,３７の厚さに依存することになる。
【０００５】
特に、スペーサ４０や帯状電極３６,３７が、溶剤を含んだ塗料を用いてスクリーン印刷法等によって形成された場合、時間を追って塗料中の溶剤が揮散していくため、印刷直後から経時的に厚さが減少し、上下の帯状電極３６,３７間の間隔を一定に保ち制御することは非常に困難であった。従って、この従来構成のタッチパネルスイッチは、製品毎に押圧時の接触荷重（オン荷重）がばらついてしまい、品質が安定しないという問題があった。
【０００６】
本発明は、上記のような従来技術に存在する問題点に着目してなされたものである。その目的とするところは、電極の厚さに影響されることなく、対向する電極間の間隔を一定に保つことができる品質の高いタッチパネルスイッチを提供することにある。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記の目的を達成するために、請求項１に記載の発明のタッチパネルスイッチは、複数の帯状電極が表面に並列に形成された第１基板及び第２基板を備え、第１基板と第２基板とを帯状電極を内側にして重ね合せたとき第１基板の帯状電極と第２基板の帯状電極が交差する方向に延びるとともに、第１基板及び第２基板の少なくとも一方の帯状電極上のみにドットスペーサが設けられ、該ドットスペーサが対向する帯状電極に接触して帯状電極間の間隔を決定するように配置され、かつ第１基板の帯状電極と第２基板の帯状電極には両帯状電極が接触する方向に押圧されたとき両者が接触して電気的に導通する接点部が設けられていることを特徴とするものである。
【０００８】
請求項２に記載の発明のタッチパネルスイッチは、複数の帯状電極が表面に並列に形成された第１基板及び第２基板を備え、第１基板と第２基板とを帯状電極を内側にして重ね合せたとき第１基板の帯状電極と第２基板の帯状電極が交差する方向に延びるとともに、第１基板及び第２基板の少なくとも一方の帯状電極上にドットスペーサが設けられ、該ドットスペーサが対向する帯状電極に接触して帯状電極間の間隔を決定するように配置され、かつ第１基板の帯状電極と第２基板の帯状電極には両帯状電極が接触する方向に押圧されたとき両者が接触して電気的に導通する接点部が設けられ、前記帯状電極が幹電極と該幹電極から直交して延びる枝電極とからなり、第１基板と第２基板の幹電極が各々等間隔に設けられ、第１基板の幹電極と第２基板の幹電極とが直交する位置の幹電極上にドットスペーサが設けられ、第１基板の枝電極と第２基板の枝電極とが直交する位置の枝電極に接点部が形成されているものである。
【０００９】
請求項３に記載の発明のタッチパネルスイッチは、複数の帯状電極が表面に並列に形成された第１基板及び第２基板を備え、第１基板と第２基板とを帯状電極を内側にして重ね合せたとき第１基板の帯状電極と第２基板の帯状電極が交差する方向に延びるとともに、第１基板及び第２基板の少なくとも一方の帯状電極上にドットスペーサが設けられ、該ドットスペーサが対向する帯状電極に接触して帯状電極間の間隔を決定するように配置され、かつ第１基板の帯状電極と第２基板の帯状電極には両帯状電極が接触する方向に押圧されたとき両者が接触して電気的に導通する接点部が設けられ、前記帯状電極が幹電極と該幹電極から直交して延びる枝電極とからなり、第１基板と第２基板の幹電極が各々等間隔に設けられ、第１基板の枝電極と第２基板の枝電極とが直交する位置の枝電極上にドットスペーサが設けられ、第１基板の幹電極と第２基板の幹電極とが直交する位置の幹電極に接点部が形成されているものである。
【００１０】
請求項４に記載の発明のタッチパネルスイッチは、複数の帯状電極が表面に並列に形成された第１基板及び第２基板を備え、第１基板と第２基板とを帯状電極を内側にして重ね合せたとき第１基板の帯状電極と第２基板の帯状電極が交差する方向に延びるとともに、第１基板及び第２基板の少なくとも一方の帯状電極上にドットスペーサが設けられ、該ドットスペーサが対向する帯状電極に接触して帯状電極間の間隔を決定するように配置され、かつ第１基板の帯状電極と第２基板の帯状電極には両帯状電極が接触する方向に押圧されたとき両者が接触して電気的に導通する接点部が設けられ、第１基板と第２基板の帯状電極が各々一定長さ毎に略直角に折れ曲がる折曲部を有するジグザグ形状に形成されるとともに、第１基板と第２基板の帯状電極が直交方向に延びているものである。
【００１１】
請求項５に記載の発明のタッチパネルスイッチは、請求項４に記載の発明において、第１基板の帯状電極と第２基板の帯状電極が、両帯状電極の交差部分で折曲部間が互いに対向した状態で第１基板と第２基板の面内方向に平行に延び、当該平行区間の第１基板又は第２基板の帯状電極上にドットスペーサが設けられ、平行区間の第１基板及び第２基板の帯状電極上に接点部が設けられているものである。
【００１２】
請求項６に記載の発明のタッチパネルスイッチは、請求項１から請求項５のいずれか一項に記載の発明において、第１基板又は第２基板上には、接点部に対向するように押圧用突起を突設した押圧用シートを一定の間隙をおいて積層したものである。
【００１３】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施形態を、図面を用いて詳細に説明する。
図１に示すように、タッチパネルスイッチ１１は、複数の帯状電極１２,１３がそれぞれ表面に一定間隔をおいて並列に形成された樹脂フィルムからなる第１基板１４及び第２基板１５を備えている。すなわち、第１基板１４の下面には、一定長さ毎に略直角に折れ曲がる折曲部１６を有するジグザグ形状をなす複数の帯状電極１２が一定の間隔で平行に延びるように配設されている。各帯状電極１２の一端は第１基板１４の一側部に設けられた接続部１８に集束されている。第１基板１４の下方には第１基板１４に対向するように、第２基板１５がその周囲に四角枠板２０を介して配設されている。
【００１４】
この四角枠板２０により第１基板１４と第２基板１５の間に異物や水分が浸入しないようになっている。四角枠板２０は、光硬化型液状樹脂や光硬化型インクを印刷法によって印刷後光照射して形成したり、四角枠状の樹脂フィルムを接着剤や粘着剤を用いて貼り合わせて形成したりすることにより設けられる。
【００１５】
第２基板１５の上面には第１基板１４上の帯状電極１２と同様に一定長さ毎に略直角に折れ曲がる折曲部１７を有するジグザグ形状をなす複数の帯状電極１３が第１基板１４上の帯状電極１２と直交する方向に配設され、各帯状電極１３の一端が第２基板１５の一側部に設けられた接続部１９に集束されている。
【００１６】
前記第１基板１４及び第２基板１５は前述のように樹脂フィルムから形成され、その樹脂フィルムを形成する樹脂としては公知の熱可塑性樹脂、熱硬化性樹脂、熱可塑性エラストマーなどが用いられる。熱可塑性樹脂としてはポリエチレンナフタレート樹脂、ポリエチレンテレフタレート樹脂、ポリイミド樹脂等が挙げられ、熱硬化性樹脂としてはエポキシ樹脂、フェノール樹脂等が挙げられる。また、熱可塑性エラストマーとしては、ポリエステルエラストマー等が挙げられる。さらに、第２基板１５には上記の樹脂フィルム以外に、ガラス基材等も用いることができる。第１基板１４及び第２基板１５の材質として透光性を有するものを用いた場合には、裏面側に配置された光源からのバックライト光を表面側に透過させることができる。
【００１７】
また、帯状電極１２,１３は、銀や炭素（カーボン）などの導電性粒子を含有する導電性インクを用いて、スクリーン印刷法等の印刷法によって形成することができる。
【００１８】
図２及び図３に示すように、第２基板１５上にジグザグ形状に形成された帯状電極１３が連続して略直角に折れ曲がった１つおきの折曲部１７上には断面略円弧状をなすドットスペーサ２１が設けられている。このドットスペーサ２１の頂部は、第２基板１５上に第１基板１４を重ねたとき第１基板１４の帯状電極１２に当接して両基板１４,１５の両帯状電極１２,１３間の間隔Ｄを保持するようになっている。一方、ドットスペーサ２１を設けなかった第１基板１４及び第２基板１５の両帯状電極１２,１３の折曲部１６,１７は第１基板１４をペンなどで押圧したときに第２基板１５の帯状電極１３と接触して電気的に導通する接点部２２,２３となっている。
【００１９】
ドットスペーサ２１は、熱硬化型、紫外線等による光硬化型、湿気硬化型などの合成樹脂又は合成ゴムを用い、スクリーン印刷法やメタル版印刷法等の印刷法にて形成することができるほか、合成樹脂やガラスのビーズを用いて形成することもできる。熱硬化型又は紫外線硬化型の合成樹脂としては、アクリル系樹脂、ポリエステル系樹脂、エポキシ系樹脂、ウレタン系樹脂、シリコーン系樹脂等が挙げられる。
【００２０】
このドットスペーサ２１の高さ、直径などの大きさはタッチパネルスイッチ１１に求められる接触荷重によって設定されるが、高さが１〜２００μｍ、直径が１０〜１０００μｍの大きさに形成されることが好ましい。ドットスペーサ２１がこの大きさより小さい場合、帯状電極１２,１３間の間隔Ｄが狭くなり過ぎてタッチパネルスイッチ１１の接触荷重がばらつき、品質が不安定になるおそれがある。逆に、上記の大きさより大きい場合、タッチパネルスイッチ１１の接触荷重が大きくなり過ぎて操作性が悪くなりやすい。従って例えば、１００ｇ以下の接触荷重の場合、高さは５〜２５μｍ、直径が１００〜５００μｍであることが好ましい。
【００２１】
そして、第１基板１４を四角枠板２０を介して第２基板１５上に重ね合せると、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２に第２基板１５のドットスペーサ２１が接触した状態で一体化されてタッチパネルスイッチ１１が得られるようになっている。
【００２２】
さて、図１に示すように、タッチパネルスイッチ１１はジグザグ形状をなす帯状電極１３を有する第２基板１５上に同形状の帯状電極１２を有する第１基板１４が互いの帯状電極１２,１３が直交するように重ね合わされて構成される。このとき、図３に示すように、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３上に設けられたドットスペーサ２１が対向する第１基板１４の帯状電極１２に当接して両帯状電極１２,１３間に介在される。このため、上下の帯状電極１２,１３間の間隔Ｄはドットスペーサ２１の高さに依存することになる。そして、図３の二点鎖線に示すように、第１基板１４の所定位置（図１の矢印）がペンなどで押圧されたとき、両帯状電極１２,１３の接点部２２,２３が接触して電気的に導通する。
【００２３】
また、図４及び図５に示すように、前記図１の構成に加えて、第１基板１４上には接点部２２,２３に対応する（上方に位置する）ように押圧用突起２９が下面に突設された押圧用シート３０を四角枠体３１を介して積層した構成を採用することもできる。この構成のタッチパネルスイッチ１１においては、押圧用シート３０を押圧することにより押圧用突起２９が第１基板１４を押圧し、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の接点部２２が第２基板１５の帯状電極１３の接点部２３に接触して電気的に導通する。
【００２４】
以上の実施形態により発揮される効果を以下にまとめて記載する。
・本実施形態のタッチパネルスイッチ１１によれば、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３上にドットスペーサ２１が設けられ、第１基板１４と第２基板１５の両帯状電極１２,１３には両者が接触して導通する接点部２２,２３が設けられている。このため、ドットスペーサ２１の高さによって両帯状電極１２,１３間の間隔Ｄが決定され、帯状電極１２,１３の厚さＴに影響されることなく、対向する帯状電極１２,１３間の間隔Ｄを一定に保つことができる。
【００２５】
従って、本実施形態の構成のタッチパネルスイッチ１１は、両基板１４,１５の帯状電極１２,１３間の間隔Ｄが帯状電極１２,１３の厚みに依存しないので、製品毎に押圧時のオン荷重が一定で、電気的な動作を安定して行うことができ、タッチパネルスイッチ１１の品質を高めることができる。
【００２６】
・第１基板１４及び第２基板１５の帯状電極１２,１３が各々一定長さ毎に略直角に折れ曲がる折曲部１６,１７を有するジグザグ形状に形成されるとともに、両帯状電極１２,１３が直交方向に延びている。ドットスペーサ２１は折曲部１７の１つおきに設けられ、接点部２２,２３はその間の折曲部１６,１７にそれぞれ設けられている。このため、後述する幹電極と枝電極とからなる帯状電極に比べ、ドットスペーサ２１と接点部２２,２３の位置を近づけるように設計することが可能であり、対向する帯状電極１２,１３間の間隔Ｄを小さく、精度良く保持することができ、低荷重化も向上させることができる。従って、タッチパネルスイッチ１１を量産する場合に容易に実施することができる。
【００２７】
・第１基板１４の帯状電極１２と第２基板１５の帯状電極１３が、両帯状電極１２,１３の交差部分で折曲部１６,１７間が互いに対向した状態で両基板１４,１５の面内方向に略平行に延びる平行区間Ｐを有している。このため、両帯状電極１２,１３が平行区間Ｐを有しない場合に比べ、第１基板１４の各帯状電極１２と第２基板１５の各帯状電極１３との間隔Ｄを容易に保持できるとともに、接点部２２,２３を容易に設定することができる。
【００２８】
・帯状電極１２,１３の形状は、本実施形態のようにジグザグ形状の場合、直線状の幹電極に枝電極が分枝した形状の場合に比べて、隣接する帯状電極１２,１３間の間隔Ｄを広くすることができる点から好ましい。その場合、帯状電極１２,１３を印刷法等にて形成したとき、にじみ等の原因によって隣接する帯状電極１２,１３間が繋がってしまうという不良発生の確率を低くすることができる。
【００２９】
・図４及び図５に示すように、タッチパネルスイッチ１１が押圧用突起２９を有する押圧用シート３０を備えることにより、点ではなく押圧用シート３０の面を押圧すればよいので入力操作が容易になるとともに、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３に対する第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の接触荷重を均一化することができる。
【００３０】
【実施例】
以下、実施例を挙げて前記実施形態をさらに具体的に説明する。
（実施例１）
図６は本実施例１のタッチパネルスイッチ１１における帯状電極１２及び帯状電極１３の形状及び配置を示す部分平面図である。
【００３１】
第１基板１４の帯状電極１２は直角に折れ曲がった折曲部１６を有するジグザグ形状（階段状）に形成されて図中右上４５度方向に延び、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３は同じく直角に折れ曲がった折曲部１７を有するジグザグ形状に形成されて図中左上４５度方向に延びている。そして、両帯状電極１２,１３の縦方向に延びる折曲部１６,１７間が互いに対向した状態で第１基板１４及び第２基板１５の各面内方向に平行に延びる平行区間Ｐとなっている。
【００３２】
この平行区間Ｐの一端部（図中下端部）における帯状電極１３上にドットスペーサ２１が設けられ、このドットスペーサ２１により帯状電極１２と帯状電極１３の電極間の間隔Ｄが保持されている。一方、平行区間Ｐの他端部（図中上端部）における帯状電極１２と帯状電極１３の部分が接点部２２,２３となっている。
【００３３】
本実施例１のタッチパネルスイッチ１１は、第１基板１４及び第２基板１５がともにポリエチレンナフタレート樹脂フィルムからなり、帯状電極１２,１３が銀インク層とカーボンインク層の積層体で形成されている。前記ドットスペーサ２１は、アクリル系紫外線硬化型樹脂を用いてスクリーン印刷法により、接触荷重が１０〜３０ｇとなるように高さ５μｍ、直径１００μｍに印刷形成されている。
【００３４】
図７（ａ）は図６の７ａ−７ａ線断面図を示し、ドットスペーサ２１を介して帯状電極１２と帯状電極１３が対向しており、ドットスペーサ２１の高さが帯状電極１２と帯状電極１３の電極間の間隔Ｄになっていることを表している。図７（ｂ）は図６の７ｂ−７ｂ線断面図を示し、同じくドットスペーサ２１の高さが帯状電極１２と帯状電極１３の電極間の間隔Ｄであることを表し、かつ第１基板１４の帯状電極１２と第２基板１５の帯状電極１３が対向した状態で平行に延びていることを表している。
【００３５】
そして、帯状電極１２の接点部２２が押圧されると帯状電極１３の接点部２３に接触し、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２と第２基板１５の帯状電極１３が電気的に導通するように構成されている。
【００３６】
本実施例１では、ドットスペーサ２１を第２基板１５の帯状電極１３上に形成することから、タッチパネルスイッチ１１を量産する場合において上下の帯状電極１２,１３の厚さＴに影響されることがなかった。従って、量産において第１基板１４の帯状電極１２と第２基板１５の帯状電極１３の間隔Ｄを狭く、具体的にはドットスペーサ２１の高さ５μｍに設定でき、その精度を高く保つことができ、低荷重でも容易にタッチパネルスイッチ１１を動作させることができた。しかも、帯状電極１２,１３をジグザグ形状とし、かつ第１基板１４の帯状電極１２と第２基板１５の帯状電極１３が一部同方向に平行に対向する平行区間Ｐを有している。このため、第１基板１４の全帯状電極１２と第２基板１５の全帯状電極１３の間に必ずドットスペーサ２１を設けることができ、かつ接点部２３の位置とドットスペーサ２１の位置を近づけることができた。
（実施例２）
図８は本実施例２の帯状電極１２,１３の形状及び配置を示す部分平面図である。第１基板１４及び第２基板１５の帯状電極１２,１３がともに幹電極２４,２５と該幹電極２４,２５から直交して延びる枝電極２６,２７とからなり、第１基板１４の幹電極２４は右上４５度方向に延び、第２基板１５の幹電極２５は左上４５度方向に延びて双方の幹電極２４,２５が直交方向に延びている。両基板１４,１５の幹電極２４,２５はそれぞれ等間隔に配置され、枝電極２６,２７の先端部は互いに対向する位置となるように構成されている。そして、第１基板１４の枝電極２６の先端部と対向する第２基板１５の枝電極２７の先端部にドットスペーサ２１が設けられている。一方、第１基板１４の幹電極２４と第２基板１５の幹電極２５とが直交する位置が接点部２２,２３となっている。
【００３７】
本実施例２のタッチパネルスイッチ１１も第１基板１４及び第２基板１５の材質、帯状電極１２,１３の構成及びドットスペーサ２１の形成は実施例１と同様である。但し、ドットスペーサ２１は、接触荷重が３０〜５０ｇとなるように高さ１０μｍ、直径２５０μｍに形成されている。
【００３８】
図９（ａ）は図８の９ａ−９ａ線断面図を示し、図９（ｂ）は図８の９ｂ−９ｂ線断面図を示している。これらの図に示すように、ドットスペーサ２１を介して枝電極２６と枝電極２７が対向しており、ドットスペーサ２１の高さが枝電極２６と枝電極２７、延いては幹電極２４と幹電極２５の電極間の間隔Ｄになっている。従って、このドットスペーサ２１にて帯状電極１２と帯状電極１３の電極間の間隔Ｄが保持されている。
【００３９】
そして、接点部２２,２３が押圧されると帯状電極１２と帯状電極１３が接触し、第１基板１４と第２基板１５が導通されるようになっている。
本実施例２は、ドットスペーサ２１を第２基板１５の枝電極２７上に形成することで、タッチパネルスイッチ１１を量産する場合において上下の帯状電極１２,１３の厚さＴに影響されることなく、ドットスペーサ２１及び接点部２２,２３を均等に配置することができた。すなわち、上下電極間の間隔Ｄをドットスペーサ２１の高さ１０μｍに容易に保つことができた。
（実施例３）
図１０は本実施例３のタッチパネルスイッチ１１における帯状電極１２,１３の形状及び配置を示す部分平面図である。本実施例３の第１基板１４と第２基板１５の帯状電極１２,１３の構成は、前記実施例２の帯状電極１２,１３の構成と同じである。ドットスペーサ２１は第１基板１４の幹電極２４と交差する第２基板１５の幹電極２５上に突設されている。第１基板１４の枝電極２６の先端部と第２基板１５の枝電極２７の先端部には接点部２２,２３が形成されている。そして、接点部２２が押圧されると帯状電極１２と帯状電極１３が接触して導通するように構成されている。
【００４０】
本実施例３のタッチパネルスイッチ１１も第１基板１４及び第２基板１５の材質、帯状電極１２,１３の構成及びドットスペーサ２１の形成は実施例１と同様である。但し、ドットスペーサ２１は、接触荷重が６０〜９０ｇとなるように高さ２５μｍ、直径５００μｍに形成されている。
【００４１】
図１１（ａ）に図１０の１１ａ−１１ａ線断面図を示し、図１１（ｂ）に図１０の１１ｂ−１１ｂ線断面図を示す。これらの図に示すように、ドットスペーサ２１を介して第１基板１４の幹電極２４と第２基板１５の幹電極２５が対向しており、ドットスペーサ２１の高さが第１基板１４の幹電極２４と第２基板１５の幹電極２５、延いては第１基板１４の枝電極２６と第２基板１５の枝電極２７の電極間の間隔Ｄになっている。
【００４２】
本実施例３は、ドットスペーサ２１を第２基板１５の幹電極２５上に形成することで、タッチパネルスイッチ１１を量産する場合において上下の帯状電極１２,１３の厚さＴに影響されることなく、容易に上下電極間の間隔Ｄをドットスペーサ２１の高さ２５μｍに一定に保つことができた。
（実施例４）
図１２は本実施例４のタッチパネルスイッチ１１における帯状電極１２,１３の形状及び配置を示す部分平面図である。第１基板１４に形成された帯状電極１２は直角に折れ曲がった折曲部１６を有するジグザク状（階段状）に形成されて図中４５度右上方向に延び、第２基板１５に形成された帯状電極１３は同じく直角に折れ曲がった折曲部１７を有するジグザク状に形成されて図中４５度左上方向に延びている。さらに、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２と第２基板１５の帯状電極１３には、一部の平行区間Ｐが同方向に平行になるように対向し、その両端部にドットスペーサ２１が設けられている。一方、平行区間Ｐの中央部、又は帯状電極１２と帯状電極１３の交差部が帯状電極１２と帯状電極１３の接点部２２,２３になっている。そして、接点部２２が押圧されると第１基板１４の帯状電極１２が第２基板１５の帯状電極１３に接触し、導通するように構成されている。
【００４３】
本実施例４のタッチパネルスイッチ１１も第１基板１４及び第２基板１５の材質、帯状電極１２,１３の構成及びドットスペーサ２１の形成は実施例１と同様である。但し、ドットスペーサ２１は、接触荷重が４０〜６０ｇとなるように高さ１５μｍ、直径３００μｍに形成されている。
【００４４】
図１３（ａ）は図１２の１３ａ−１３ａ線断面図であり、図１３（ｂ）は図１２の１３ｂ−１３ｂ線断面図である。これらの図に示すように、ドットスペーサ２１を介して第１基板１４の帯状電極１２と第２基板１５の帯状電極１３とが対向しており、ドットスペーサ２１の高さが帯状電極１２と帯状電極１３の電極間の間隔Ｄになっている。
【００４５】
本実施例４は、帯状電極１２,１３をジグザグ形状に形成することで、接点部２２,２３の位置とドットスペーサ２１の位置を近づけることができるため、タッチパネルスイッチ１１を量産する場合において第１基板１４の帯状電極１２と第２基板１５の帯状電極１３の間隔Ｄを精度良く制御することができた。本実施例４は、ドットスペーサ２１を上下電極間に形成することで、量産において上下電極の厚さＴに影響されることなく、容易に上下電極間の間隔Ｄをドットスペーサ２１の高さ１５μｍに一定に保つことができた。
【００４６】
なお、本発明は前記実施形態又は実施例を以下に示す別例のように変更して実施することも可能である。
・図１４に示すように、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２は直角に折れ曲がった折曲部１６を有するジグザグ形状で横方向に延び、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３は同じく直角に折れ曲がった折曲部１７を有するジグザグ形状で縦方向に延びている。ドットスペーサ２１は第２基板１５の帯状電極１３の折曲部１７上に設けられている。すなわち、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３の全ての折曲部１７にドットスペーサ２１が配置され、接点部２２,２３は折曲部１６,１７の中間（平行区間Ｐの中間）に設けられている。なお、折曲部１６の一つおきにドットスペーサ２１を配置した場合には、接点部２２はドットスペーサ２１を配置しなかった折曲部１６に位置することとなる。
【００４７】
・図１５に示すように、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の幹電極２４は直線状をなし横方向に平行に延び、枝電極２６は幹電極２４の片側（図中下側）に一定間隔をおいて直交方向に延びている。一方、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３の幹電極２５は縦方向に直線状に延びるとともに、島電極２８が幹電極２５間に幹電極２５とは分離された位置、すなわち第１基板１４と第２基板１５を重ね合せたとき第１基板１４の枝電極２６の先端部に対向する位置に設けられている。ドットスペーサ２１は第２基板１５の島電極２８上に設けられ、接点部２２,２３は第１基板１４の幹電極２４と第２基板１５の幹電極２５の交点に設けられている。ここで、上記島電極２８は幹電極２５とは分離されているが、枝電極２７に相当するものであり、本発明でいう帯状電極１３の概念に含まれるものである。この場合にも、上下に対向する帯状電極１２,１３の間隔Ｄは電極の厚さＴに影響されることがなく、実施形態と同様の効果を発揮することができる。
【００４８】
・図１６（ａ）に示すように、帯状電極１２,１３を直線状の幹電極２４,２５の両側方に交互に枝電極２６,２７が直交して延びるように構成し、幹電極２４,２５を実線と二点鎖線に示すように直交配置し、枝電極２６,２７の先端同士が対向するように配置することも可能である。ドットスペーサ２１はこの枝電極２７の先端、又は隣接する枝電極２７の分枝元の中間にあたる帯状電極１３上に設けられる。枝電極２６の先端にドットスペーサ２１を配した場合には、接点部２２,２３は隣接する枝電極２６,２７の分枝元の中間に位置し、隣接する枝電極２６,２７の分枝元の中間にドットスペーサ２１を配した場合には、接点部２２,２３は枝電極２６,２７の先端に位置することとなる。
【００４９】
また、図１６（ｂ）に示すように、帯状電極１２,１３を半円３２が連なった形状に、図１６（ｃ）に示すように、帯状電極１２,１３を中心角４５度の円弧３３が逆向きに連なった形状に及び図１６（ｄ）に示すように、帯状電極１２,１３を半円３２が逆向きに連なった形状に形成することも可能である。
【００５０】
・図１７（ａ）に示すように、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の幹電極２４は直線状をなし横方向に等間隔で平行に延び、枝電極２６は幹電極２４の片側（図中上側）に一定間隔をおいて直交方向に延びている。一方、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３の幹電極２５は直線状をなし縦方向に等間隔で平行に延び、枝電極２７は幹電極２５の片側（図中左側）に一定間隔をおいて直交するように延びている。そして、第２基板１５の幹電極２５上で第１基板１４の幹電極２４との直交部分にドットスペーサ２１が設けられるとともに、第１基板１４の枝電極２６の先端部と第２基板１５の枝電極２７の先端部には接点部２２,２３が設けられている。
【００５１】
また、図１７（ｂ）に示すように、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の幹電極２４は直線状をなし横方向に等間隔で平行に延び、枝電極２６は幹電極２４の片側（図中下側）に一定間隔をおいて直交するように延びている。一方、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３の幹電極２５は直線状をなし縦方向に等間隔で平行に延び、枝電極２７は幹電極２５の片側（図中右側）に第１基板１４の幹電極２４に沿うように一定間隔をおいて直交するように延びている。そして、第２基板１５の枝電極２７の先端部にドットスペーサ２１が設けられるとともに、第１基板１４の枝電極２６の先端部と第２基板１５の幹電極２５には接点部２２,２３が設けられている。
【００５２】
・図１８（ａ）に示すように、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２はジグザグ形状をなし横方向に等間隔で平行に延びている。一方、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３の幹電極２４は直線状をなし縦方向に等間隔で平行に延び、枝電極２７は幹電極２５の片側（図中右側）に一定間隔をおいて直交方向に延びている。ここで、第２基板１５の枝電極２７の先端部は第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の一方の折曲部１６上に位置している。そして、第２基板１５の枝電極２７の先端部にドットスペーサ２１が設けられるとともに、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の他方の折曲部１６とそれに対向する第２基板１５の幹電極２５には接点部２２,２３が設けられている。
【００５３】
図１８（ｂ）に示す変形例は図１８（ａ）に示す変形例と次のような点で異なり、その他の構成は同じである。すなわち、第２基板１５の枝電極２７が図中左方向に延びている。そして、第２基板１５の幹電極２５上で第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の一方の折曲部１６と交差する部分にドットスペーサ２１が設けられるとともに、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の他方の折曲部１６とそれに対向する第２基板１５の枝電極２７の先端部には接点部２２,２３が設けられている。
【００５４】
図１８（ｃ）に示す変形例は図１８（ａ）に示す変形例と次のような点で異なり、その他の構成は同じである。すなわち、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２のジグザグ形状の振幅及び波長が２倍の大きさに形成され、一方の折曲部１６が第２基板１５の枝電極２７の先端部に１つおきに交差している。そして、第２基板１５の枝電極２７の先端部にドットスペーサ２１が設けられるとともに、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の折曲部１６間の直線状部分とそれに対向する第２基板１５の幹電極２５には接点部２２,２３が設けられている。
【００５５】
図１８（ｄ）に示す変形例は図１８（ｂ）に示す変形例と次のような点で異なり、その他の構成は同じである。すなわち、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２のジグザグ形状の振幅及び波長が２倍の大きさに形成され、一方の折曲部１６が第２基板１５の幹電極２５に１つおきに交差している。そして、第２基板１５の幹電極２５上の第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の折曲部１６と交差する部分にドットスペーサ２１が設けられるとともに、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の折曲部１６間の直線状部分とそれに対向する第２基板１５の枝電極２７の先端部には接点部２２,２３が設けられている。
【００５６】
・図１９（ａ）に示すように、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２は直角に折れ曲がった折曲部１６を有するジグザグ形状をなし横方向に等間隔で平行に延びている。一方、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３の幹電極２５は直線状をなし縦方向に等間隔で平行に延び、各幹電極２５の中間部には島電極２８が幹電極２５とは独立して一定間隔をおいて配置されている。ここで、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の一方の折曲部１６は第２基板１５の島電極２８に対向する位置にあり、他方の折曲部１６は第２基板１５の幹電極２５と交差する位置にある。そして、第２基板１５の島電極２８上にドットスペーサ２１が設けられるとともに、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の他方の折曲部１６とそれに対向する第２基板１５の幹電極２５には接点部２２,２３が設けられている。
【００５７】
図１９（ｂ）に示すように、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の幹電極２４は直線状をなし横方向に等間隔で平行に延び、各幹電極２４の中間部には島電極２８が幹電極２５とは独立して一定間隔をおいて配置されている。一方、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３の幹電極２５は直線状をなし縦方向に等間隔で平行に延び、各幹電極２５の中間部には島電極２８ａが幹電極２５とは独立して一定間隔をおいて配置されている。ここで、第１基板１４の島電極２８と第２基板１５の島電極２８とは対向する位置にある。そして、第２基板１５の島電極２８上にドットスペーサ２１が設けられるとともに、第１基板１４の幹電極２４とそれに交差する第２基板１５の幹電極２５には接点部２２,２３が設けられている。
【００５８】
・図２０から図２７は第１基板１４及び第２基板１５を透明樹脂で形成し、その表面に帯状電極１２,１３をジグザグ形状に形成した具体的構成を示すものである。図２０は第１基板１４と第２基板１５を重ね合せた状態の平面図、図２１はその正面図、図２２は背面図、図２３は右側面図、図２４は左側面図、図２５は第２基板１５の平面図、図２６は第１基板１４の平面図、図２７はドットスペーサ２１の部分の断面図である。
【００５９】
図２６に示すように、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２はジグザグ形状に形成され、一定間隔をおいて横方向に延び、それらの右端で２つに集束され接続部１８に接続されている。図２５に示すように、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３はジグザグ形状に形成され、一定間隔をおいて縦方向に延び、それらの下端で集束され接続部１９に接続されている。図２０及び図２１に示すように、第２基板１５上に四角枠板２０を介して第１基板１４を重ね合せたときには、各帯状電極１２,１３の折曲部１６,１７間が１つおきに重なっている。そして、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３の前記重なり部分の一方の折曲部１７上にはドットスペーサ２１が設けられ、他方の折曲部１７とそれに対向する第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の折曲部１６には接点部２２,２３が設けられている。図２７に示すように、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３の折曲部１７上に設けられたドットスペーサ２１の頂部が第１基板１４の帯状電極１２に当接し、上下の帯状電極１２,１３間の間隔Ｄを規定している。
【００６０】
・第１基板１４の帯状電極１２上にドットスペーサ２１を設けたり、場合によっては第１基板１４と第２基板１５の双方の帯状電極１２，１３上にドットスペーサ２１を設けるように構成することも可能である。
【００６１】
・本発明では第１基板１４及び第２基板１５は樹脂フィルムによって構成されるが、樹脂フィルムの概念は樹脂フィルムより厚みのある樹脂シートも含むものである。
【００６２】
・ドットスペーサ２１は、断面楕円弧状、断面台形状、断面三角形状、又は平面楕円形状、平面四角形状などであってもよい。
・第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の延びる方向と第２基板１５の帯状電極１３の延びる方向とは必ずしも直交している必要はなく、目的に応じた角度で交差していてもよい。
【００６３】
さらに、実施形態より把握される技術的思想について以下に記載する。
・前記タッチパネルスイッチにおいて、前記第１基板の各帯状電極と第２基板の各帯状電極とは、各々少なくとも２箇所で交差して対向するように構成され、一方の交差部分における第１基板又は第２基板の帯状電極上にドットスペーサが設けられ、他方の交差部分における第１基板及び第２基板の帯状電極に接点部が設けられていること。このように構成した場合、第１基板の各帯状電極と第２基板の各帯状電極との間の間隔を一定にできると同時に、第１基板の各帯状電極と第２基板の各帯状電極との間を電気的に導通させることができる。
【００６４】
・前記タッチパネルスイッチにおいて、前記平行区間の両端における第１基板又は第２基板の帯状電極上にドットスペーサが設けられていること。このように構成した場合、ドットスペーサの密度を高めて対向する帯状電極間の間隔について精度を向上させることができる。
【００６５】
【発明の効果】
以上詳述したように、本発明によれば次のような効果を発揮することができる。
【００６６】
請求項１から請求項６のいずれか一項に記載のタッチパネルスイッチによれば、電極の厚さに影響されることなく、対向する電極間の間隔を一定に保つことができ、品質を高めることができる。
【００６７】
請求項２又は請求項３に記載のタッチパネルスイッチによれば、ドットスペーサ及び接点部を均等に配置することが可能であり、対向する電極間の間隔を全体として均等に保持することができる。
【００６８】
請求項４に記載のタッチパネルスイッチによれば、帯状電極の密度を高め、ドットスペーサと接点部の位置を近づけることが可能であり、対向する電極間の間隔を精度良く保持することができる。
【００６９】
請求項５に記載のタッチパネルスイッチによれば、請求項４に記載の発明の効果に加え、両基板の各帯状電極の間隔を容易に保持できるとともに、接点部を容易に設定することができる。
【００７０】
請求項６に記載のタッチパネルスイッチによれば、請求項１から請求項５のいずれか一項に記載の発明の効果に加え、入力操作を容易にすることができるとともに、接触荷重の均一化を図ることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施形態におけるタッチパネルスイッチの分解斜視図。
【図２】タッチパネルスイッチの帯状電極の配置を示す部分平面図。
【図３】図２の３−３線における断面図。
【図４】変更を加えたタッチパネルスイッチの分解斜視図。
【図５】図４のタッチパネルスイッチの縦断面図。
【図６】実施例１における帯状電極の配置を示す部分平面図。
【図７】（ａ）は図６の７ａ−７ａ線における断面図、（ｂ）は図６の７ｂ−７ｂ線における断面図。
【図８】実施例２における帯状電極の配置を示す部分平面図。
【図９】（ａ）は図８の９ａ−９ａ線における断面図、（ｂ）は図８の９ｂ−９ｂ線における断面図。
【図１０】実施例３における帯状電極の配置を示す部分平面図。
【図１１】（ａ）は図１０の１１ａ−１１ａ線における断面図、（ｂ）は図１０の１１ｂ−１１ｂ線における断面図。
【図１２】実施例４における帯状電極の配置を示す部分平面図。
【図１３】（ａ）は図１２の１３ａ−１３ａ線における断面図、（ｂ）は図１２の１３ｂ−１３ｂ線における断面図。
【図１４】本発明の別例における帯状電極の配置を示す部分平面図。
【図１５】さらに別例における帯状電極の配置を示す部分平面図。
【図１６】（ａ）から（ｄ）は帯状電極の形状の別例を示す部分平面図。
【図１７】（ａ）及び（ｂ）は別例として帯状電極の配置並びにドットスペーサ及び接点部の位置を示す部分平面図。
【図１８】（ａ）から（ｄ）は別例として帯状電極の配置並びにドットスペーサ及び接点部の位置を示す部分平面図。
【図１９】（ａ）及び（ｂ）は別例として帯状電極の配置並びにドットスペーサ及び接点部の位置を示す部分平面図。
【図２０】本発明の別例におけるタッチパネルスイッチを示す平面図。
【図２１】図２０の正面図。
【図２２】図２０の背面図。
【図２３】図２０の右側面図。
【図２４】図２０の左側面図。
【図２５】図２０に示す別例の第２基板を示す平面図。
【図２６】図２０に示す別例の第１基板を示す平面図。
【図２７】図２０の２７−２７線における断面図。
【図２８】（ａ）は従来のタッチパネルスイッチの帯状電極及びドットスペーサの配置を示す平面図、（ｂ）は（ａ）の２８ｂ−２８ｂ線における断面図。
【符号の説明】
１１…タッチパネルスイッチ、１２,１３…帯状電極、１４…第１基板、１５…第２基板、１６,１７…折曲部、２１…ドットスペーサ、２２,２３…接点部、２４,２５…幹電極、２６,２７…枝電極、２９…押圧用突起、３０…押圧用シート、Ｄ…帯状電極間の間隔、Ｐ…平行区間。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a touch panel switch used as a planar input device for inputting coordinates in, for example, an electronic device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a touch panel switch with excellent quality capable of keeping a constant interval between electrodes provided facing each other on a substrate without being affected by the thickness of the electrodes.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a digital input type touch panel switch having a planar input portion is used as a device for inputting coordinates. As a typical example of this type of touch panel switch, as shown in FIGS. 28 (a) and 28 (b), two substrates 38 each having a large number of linear strip electrodes 36, 37 extending in parallel on one side are provided. , 39 are arranged in a grid pattern so that the strip electrodes 36, 37 extend in the orthogonal direction. Spacers between the lattices of the strip electrodes 36 and 37 are provided with spacers 40 for insulation while maintaining a constant spacing between the upper and lower strip electrodes when there is no load.
[0003]
For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-113843, dots formed between parallel electrodes on a lower substrate are arranged such that an upper substrate and a lower substrate are arranged so that stripe electrodes provided on both substrates are orthogonal to each other. A coordinate input device arranged opposite to each other via a spacer is described.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional touch panel as described above, the spacer 40 is provided at a position where the strip electrodes 36 and 37 on the substrates 38 and 39 are not formed. For this reason, the interval between the upper and lower strip electrodes 36 and 37 depends on the height of the spacer 40 and the thickness of the upper and lower strip electrodes 36 and 37.
[0005]
In particular, when the spacer 40 and the strip electrodes 36 and 37 are formed by a screen printing method or the like using a paint containing a solvent, the solvent in the paint evaporates over time. As the thickness decreased, it was very difficult to keep the distance between the upper and lower strip electrodes 36 and 37 constant. Therefore, this conventional touch panel switch has a problem that the contact load (on load) at the time of pressing varies for each product, and the quality is not stable.
[0006]
The present invention has been made paying attention to the problems existing in the prior art as described above. The object is to provide a high-quality touch panel switch that can maintain a constant spacing between the opposing electrodes without being affected by the thickness of the electrodes.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a touch panel switch according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a first substrate and a second substrate having a plurality of strip electrodes formed in parallel on the surface, the first substrate and the second substrate. Are extended in a direction in which the belt-like electrode of the first substrate and the belt-like electrode of the second substrate intersect with each other and on the belt-like electrode of at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate. only Are provided so as to determine the distance between the strip electrodes in contact with the opposing strip electrodes, and the strip electrodes on the first substrate and the strip electrodes on the second substrate are both strips. When the electrodes are pressed in the direction in which they come into contact with each other, there is provided a contact portion that comes into contact and is electrically connected.
[0008]
The touch panel switch of the invention according to claim 2 When a first substrate and a second substrate having a plurality of strip electrodes formed in parallel on the surface are provided, and the first substrate and the second substrate are overlapped with the strip electrodes inside, the strip electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate The belt-like electrodes of the substrate extend in a crossing direction, and dot spacers are provided on at least one of the belt-like electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate. The band-shaped electrode of the first substrate and the band-shaped electrode of the second substrate are provided with contact portions that are electrically connected to each other when both the band-shaped electrodes are pressed in the contact direction. And The strip electrode includes a stem electrode and a branch electrode extending orthogonally from the stem electrode, the stem electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate are provided at equal intervals, and the stem electrode of the first substrate and the second substrate A dot spacer is provided on the trunk electrode at a position orthogonal to the trunk electrode, and a contact portion is formed on the branch electrode at a position where the branch electrode of the first substrate and the branch electrode of the second substrate are orthogonal to each other. .
[0009]
The touch panel switch of the invention according to claim 3 When a first substrate and a second substrate having a plurality of strip electrodes formed in parallel on the surface are provided, and the first substrate and the second substrate are overlapped with the strip electrodes inside, the strip electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate The belt-like electrodes of the substrate extend in a crossing direction, and dot spacers are provided on at least one of the belt-like electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate. The band-shaped electrode of the first substrate and the band-shaped electrode of the second substrate are provided with contact portions that are electrically connected to each other when both the band-shaped electrodes are pressed in the contact direction. And The strip electrode includes a trunk electrode and a branch electrode extending orthogonally from the trunk electrode, and the trunk electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate are provided at equal intervals, and the branch electrode of the first substrate and the second electrode of the second substrate are provided. A dot spacer is provided on a branch electrode at a position orthogonal to the branch electrode, and a contact portion is formed on the trunk electrode at a position where the trunk electrode of the first substrate and the trunk electrode of the second substrate are orthogonal to each other. .
[0010]
The touch panel switch of the invention according to claim 4 When a first substrate and a second substrate having a plurality of strip electrodes formed in parallel on the surface are provided, and the first substrate and the second substrate are overlapped with the strip electrodes inside, the strip electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate The belt-like electrodes of the substrate extend in a crossing direction, and dot spacers are provided on at least one of the belt-like electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate. The band-shaped electrode of the first substrate and the band-shaped electrode of the second substrate are provided with contact portions that are electrically connected to each other when both the band-shaped electrodes are pressed in the contact direction. And The strip electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate are each formed in a zigzag shape having a bent portion that is bent at a substantially right angle for each predetermined length, and the strip electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate extend in the orthogonal direction. It is what.
[0011]
The touch panel switch according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the touch panel switch according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, wherein the band-shaped electrode of the first substrate and the band-shaped electrode of the second substrate face each other at the intersection of the two band-shaped electrodes. In this state, the first substrate and the second substrate extend in parallel to the in-plane direction, and dot spacers are provided on the strip-like electrodes of the first substrate or the second substrate in the parallel section, and the first substrate and the second substrate in the parallel section are provided. A contact portion is provided on the strip electrode of the substrate.
[0012]
A touch panel switch according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the touch panel switch according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the touch panel switch is for pressing on the first substrate or the second substrate so as to face the contact portion. A pressing sheet provided with protrusions is laminated with a certain gap.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the touch panel switch 11 includes a first substrate 14 and a second substrate 15 made of a resin film in which a plurality of strip-like electrodes 12 and 13 are formed in parallel on the surface at regular intervals. . That is, on the lower surface of the first substrate 14, a plurality of zigzag strip-like electrodes 12 having bent portions 16 that are bent at a substantially right angle every predetermined length are arranged so as to extend in parallel at regular intervals. . One end of each belt-like electrode 12 is focused on a connection portion 18 provided on one side of the first substrate 14. Below the first substrate 14, the second substrate 15 is disposed around the square substrate 20 so as to face the first substrate 14.
[0014]
The square frame plate 20 prevents foreign matter and moisture from entering between the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15. The square frame plate 20 is formed by printing light curable liquid resin or light curable ink by printing after printing, or by bonding a square frame resin film using an adhesive or an adhesive. Is provided.
[0015]
On the upper surface of the second substrate 15, a plurality of zigzag strip-like electrodes 13 having a bent portion 17 that bends at a substantially right angle every certain length, like the strip-like electrodes 12 on the first substrate 14, are on the first substrate 14. The strip electrodes 13 are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the strip electrodes 12, and one end of each strip electrode 13 is focused on a connection portion 19 provided on one side of the second substrate 15.
[0016]
The first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15 are formed of a resin film as described above, and a known thermoplastic resin, thermosetting resin, thermoplastic elastomer, or the like is used as the resin forming the resin film. Examples of the thermoplastic resin include polyethylene naphthalate resin, polyethylene terephthalate resin, and polyimide resin. Examples of the thermosetting resin include epoxy resin and phenol resin. Further, examples of the thermoplastic elastomer include polyester elastomer. In addition to the resin film, a glass substrate or the like can be used for the second substrate 15. When a material having translucency is used as the material of the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15, the backlight light from the light source arranged on the back surface side can be transmitted to the front surface side.
[0017]
The strip electrodes 12 and 13 can be formed by a printing method such as a screen printing method using a conductive ink containing conductive particles such as silver or carbon.
[0018]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the strip-like electrode 13 formed in a zigzag shape on the second substrate 15 has a substantially arc-shaped cross section on every other bent portion 17 continuously bent at a substantially right angle. A formed dot spacer 21 is provided. The top of the dot spacer 21 abuts on the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 when the first substrate 14 is overlaid on the second substrate 15, and the distance D between the strip electrodes 12, 13 of the substrates 14, 15. Is supposed to hold. On the other hand, the bent portions 16 and 17 of the belt-like electrodes 12 and 13 of the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15 where the dot spacers 21 are not provided are formed on the second substrate 15 when the first substrate 14 is pressed with a pen or the like. The contact portions 22 and 23 are in electrical contact with the strip electrode 13 and are electrically connected.
[0019]
The dot spacer 21 can be formed by a printing method such as a screen printing method or a metal plate printing method using a synthetic resin or a synthetic rubber such as a thermosetting type, a photocuring type by ultraviolet rays, or a moisture curing type, It can also be formed using synthetic resin or glass beads. Examples of the thermosetting or ultraviolet curable synthetic resin include acrylic resins, polyester resins, epoxy resins, urethane resins, and silicone resins.
[0020]
The size, such as the height and diameter, of the dot spacers 21 is set according to the contact load required for the touch panel switch 11, and is preferably formed to have a height of 1 to 200 μm and a diameter of 10 to 1000 μm. . When the dot spacer 21 is smaller than this size, the distance D between the strip electrodes 12 and 13 becomes too narrow, the contact load of the touch panel switch 11 varies, and the quality may become unstable. On the other hand, when the size is larger than the above size, the touch load of the touch panel switch 11 becomes too large, and the operability tends to deteriorate. Therefore, for example, in the case of a contact load of 100 g or less, the height is preferably 5 to 25 μm and the diameter is preferably 100 to 500 μm.
[0021]
Then, when the first substrate 14 is overlaid on the second substrate 15 via the square frame plate 20, the first substrate 14 is integrated in a state in which the dot spacers 21 of the second substrate 15 are in contact with the belt-like electrodes 12 of the first substrate 14. A touch panel switch 11 is obtained.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 1, the touch panel switch 11 includes a zigzag-shaped strip electrode 13 and a first substrate 14 having the same strip-shaped electrode 12 on a second substrate 15 having the strip-shaped electrodes 12 and 13 orthogonal to each other. It is configured to be overlaid. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the dot spacers 21 provided on the band-like electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 abut against the band-like electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 facing each other and are interposed between the band-like electrodes 12 and 13. Is done. Therefore, the distance D between the upper and lower strip electrodes 12 and 13 depends on the height of the dot spacer 21. Then, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, when the predetermined position (arrow in FIG. 1) of the first substrate 14 is pressed with a pen or the like, the contact portions 22 and 23 of both the strip electrodes 12 and 13 come into contact. Electrically conducting.
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in addition to the configuration of FIG. 1, a pressing protrusion 29 is provided on the first substrate 14 so as to correspond to the contact portions 22 and 23 (located above). It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the pressing sheets 30 projecting from each other are stacked via a square frame 31. In the touch panel switch 11 having this configuration, the pressing projection 29 presses the first substrate 14 by pressing the pressing sheet 30, and the contact portion 22 of the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 is strip-shaped of the second substrate 15. The contact portion 23 of the electrode 13 is brought into electrical contact with the electrode 13.
[0024]
The effect exhibited by the above embodiment is described collectively below.
According to the touch panel switch 11 of the present embodiment, the dot spacer 21 is provided on the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15, and both the strip electrodes 12 and 13 of the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15 are in contact with each other. Thus, contact portions 22 and 23 that are conductive are provided. Therefore, the distance D between the strip electrodes 12, 13 is determined by the height of the dot spacer 21, and the distance between the strip electrodes 12, 13 facing each other is not affected by the thickness T of the strip electrodes 12, 13. D can be kept constant.
[0025]
Accordingly, in the touch panel switch 11 having the configuration of the present embodiment, since the distance D between the strip electrodes 12 and 13 of both the substrates 14 and 15 does not depend on the thickness of the strip electrodes 12 and 13, the on-load at the time of pressing is different for each product. The electric operation can be performed stably and stably, and the quality of the touch panel switch 11 can be improved.
[0026]
The band-shaped electrodes 12 and 13 of the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15 are formed in a zigzag shape having bent portions 16 and 17 that are bent at a substantially right angle for each predetermined length, and both the band-shaped electrodes 12 and 13 are formed. It extends in the orthogonal direction. The dot spacers 21 are provided at every other bent portion 17, and the contact portions 22 and 23 are provided at the bent portions 16 and 17, respectively. For this reason, it is possible to design so that the positions of the dot spacer 21 and the contact portions 22 and 23 are closer to each other than a band-shaped electrode composed of a stem electrode and a branch electrode, which will be described later, and between the opposed band-shaped electrodes 12 and 13. The interval D can be kept small and accurate, and the load reduction can be improved. Therefore, the touch panel switch 11 can be easily implemented in mass production.
[0027]
The surfaces of the two substrates 14 and 15 in a state where the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 and the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 are opposed to each other between the bent portions 16 and 17 at the intersection of the strip electrodes 12 and 13. It has a parallel section P extending substantially parallel to the inward direction. For this reason, compared with the case where both the strip electrodes 12, 13 do not have the parallel section P, the distance D between each strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 and each strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 can be easily maintained, The contact portions 22 and 23 can be easily set.
[0028]
The shape of the strip electrodes 12, 13 is a zigzag shape as in this embodiment, as compared to the case where the branch electrodes are branched from the straight trunk electrode, and the distance between the adjacent strip electrodes 12, 13 It is preferable from the viewpoint that D can be widened. In that case, when the strip electrodes 12 and 13 are formed by a printing method or the like, it is possible to reduce the probability of occurrence of a defect in which the adjacent strip electrodes 12 and 13 are connected due to bleeding or the like.
[0029]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the touch panel switch 11 includes the pressing sheet 30 having the pressing protrusions 29, so that it is only necessary to press the surface of the pressing sheet 30 instead of the point, so that an input operation is easy. In addition, the contact load of the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 with respect to the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 can be made uniform.
[0030]
【Example】
Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described more specifically with reference to examples.
(Example 1)
FIG. 6 is a partial plan view showing the shape and arrangement of the strip electrode 12 and the strip electrode 13 in the touch panel switch 11 of the first embodiment.
[0031]
The strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 is formed in a zigzag shape (stepped shape) having a bent portion 16 bent at a right angle and extends in the direction of 45 degrees on the upper right in the figure, and the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 is also a right angle. It is formed in a zigzag shape having a bent portion 17 that is bent, and extends in the upper left 45 ° direction in the figure. And it becomes the parallel area P extended in parallel with each in-plane direction of the 1st board | substrate 14 and the 2nd board | substrate 15 in the state which the bending parts 16 and 17 extended in the vertical direction of both strip | belt-shaped electrodes 12 and 13 oppose each other. Yes.
[0032]
A dot spacer 21 is provided on the band-like electrode 13 at one end (the lower end in the figure) of the parallel section P, and the interval D between the electrodes of the band-like electrode 12 and the band-like electrode 13 is maintained by the dot spacer 21. On the other hand, the portions of the strip electrode 12 and the strip electrode 13 at the other end portion (upper end portion in the figure) of the parallel section P are contact portions 22 and 23.
[0033]
In the touch panel switch 11 of Example 1, both the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15 are made of a polyethylene naphthalate resin film, and the strip electrodes 12 and 13 are formed of a laminate of a silver ink layer and a carbon ink layer. . The dot spacers 21 are printed and formed with a height of 5 μm and a diameter of 100 μm by screen printing using an acrylic ultraviolet curable resin so that the contact load is 10 to 30 g.
[0034]
FIG. 7A shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line 7a-7a of FIG. 6, in which the strip electrode 12 and the strip electrode 13 are opposed to each other via the dot spacer 21, and the height of the dot spacer 21 is the strip electrode 12 and the strip electrode. This indicates that the distance D is 13 between the electrodes. FIG. 7B is a sectional view taken along the line 7b-7b in FIG. 6, and similarly shows that the height of the dot spacer 21 is the distance D between the electrodes of the strip electrode 12 and the strip electrode 13, and the first substrate 14 This indicates that the belt-like electrode 12 and the belt-like electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 extend in parallel with each other facing each other.
[0035]
When the contact portion 22 of the strip electrode 12 is pressed, the contact portion 23 of the strip electrode 13 comes into contact, and the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 and the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 are electrically connected. It is configured.
[0036]
In the first embodiment, since the dot spacer 21 is formed on the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15, when the touch panel switch 11 is mass-produced, it is affected by the thickness T of the upper and lower strip electrodes 12, 13. There wasn't. Accordingly, in mass production, the distance D between the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 and the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 can be narrowed, specifically, the height of the dot spacer 21 can be set to 5 μm, and the accuracy can be kept high. The touch panel switch 11 could be easily operated even with a low load. Moreover, the strip electrodes 12 and 13 are formed in a zigzag shape, and the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 and the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 have a parallel section P that is partially opposed in parallel in the same direction. Therefore, the dot spacer 21 can always be provided between the entire strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 and the entire strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15, and the position of the contact portion 23 and the position of the dot spacer 21 are brought close to each other. I was able to.
(Example 2)
FIG. 8 is a partial plan view showing the shape and arrangement of the strip electrodes 12 and 13 according to the second embodiment. Both the strip-like electrodes 12 and 13 of the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15 are composed of stem electrodes 24 and 25 and branch electrodes 26 and 27 extending orthogonally from the stem electrodes 24 and 25. 24 extends in the upper right 45 degree direction, the stem electrode 25 of the second substrate 15 extends in the upper left 45 degree direction, and both the stem electrodes 24, 25 extend in the orthogonal direction. The trunk electrodes 24 and 25 of both the substrates 14 and 15 are arranged at equal intervals, and the tip portions of the branch electrodes 26 and 27 are configured to face each other. A dot spacer 21 is provided at the tip of the branch electrode 27 of the second substrate 15 facing the tip of the branch electrode 26 of the first substrate 14. On the other hand, the positions where the stem electrode 24 of the first substrate 14 and the stem electrode 25 of the second substrate 15 are orthogonal to each other are the contact portions 22 and 23.
[0037]
The touch panel switch 11 of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment in the materials of the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15, the configurations of the strip electrodes 12 and 13, and the formation of the dot spacers 21. However, the dot spacer 21 is formed with a height of 10 μm and a diameter of 250 μm so that the contact load is 30 to 50 g.
[0038]
9A shows a cross-sectional view taken along line 9a-9a in FIG. 8, and FIG. 9B shows a cross-sectional view taken along line 9b-9b in FIG. As shown in these drawings, the branch electrode 26 and the branch electrode 27 are opposed to each other with the dot spacer 21 interposed therebetween, and the height of the dot spacer 21 is the branch electrode 26 and the branch electrode 27, and further, the trunk electrode 24 and the trunk. The distance D between the electrodes of the electrode 25 is set. Therefore, the distance D between the strip electrode 12 and the strip electrode 13 is maintained by the dot spacer 21.
[0039]
When the contact portions 22 and 23 are pressed, the strip electrode 12 and the strip electrode 13 come into contact with each other, and the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15 are brought into conduction.
In the second embodiment, the dot spacer 21 is formed on the branch electrode 27 of the second substrate 15 so that the touch panel switch 11 is not affected by the thickness T of the upper and lower strip electrodes 12 and 13 in mass production. The dot spacers 21 and the contact portions 22 and 23 could be evenly arranged. That is, the distance D between the upper and lower electrodes could be easily kept at the height of the dot spacer 21 of 10 μm.
(Example 3)
FIG. 10 is a partial plan view showing the shape and arrangement of the strip electrodes 12 and 13 in the touch panel switch 11 of the third embodiment. The configurations of the strip electrodes 12 and 13 of the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15 of the third embodiment are the same as the configurations of the strip electrodes 12 and 13 of the second embodiment. The dot spacer 21 protrudes on the trunk electrode 25 of the second substrate 15 that intersects the trunk electrode 24 of the first substrate 14. Contact portions 22 and 23 are formed at the tip of the branch electrode 26 of the first substrate 14 and the tip of the branch electrode 27 of the second substrate 15. And when the contact part 22 is pressed, it is comprised so that the strip | belt-shaped electrode 12 and the strip | belt-shaped electrode 13 may contact and be conducted.
[0040]
The touch panel switch 11 of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment in the materials of the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15, the configuration of the strip electrodes 12 and 13, and the formation of the dot spacers 21. However, the dot spacer 21 is formed with a height of 25 μm and a diameter of 500 μm so that the contact load is 60 to 90 g.
[0041]
11A shows a cross-sectional view taken along line 11a-11a in FIG. 10, and FIG. 11B shows a cross-sectional view taken along line 11b-11b in FIG. As shown in these drawings, the stem electrode 24 of the first substrate 14 and the stem electrode 25 of the second substrate 15 face each other with the dot spacer 21 therebetween, and the height of the dot spacer 21 is the stem of the first substrate 14. The distance D is between the electrode 24 and the trunk electrode 25 of the second substrate 15, and hence the branch electrode 26 of the first substrate 14 and the electrode of the branch electrode 27 of the second substrate 15.
[0042]
In the third embodiment, the dot spacer 21 is formed on the trunk electrode 25 of the second substrate 15 so that the touch panel switch 11 is not affected by the thickness T of the upper and lower strip electrodes 12 and 13 in mass production. The distance D between the upper and lower electrodes could easily be kept constant at the height of the dot spacer 21 of 25 μm.
Example 4
FIG. 12 is a partial plan view showing the shape and arrangement of the strip electrodes 12 and 13 in the touch panel switch 11 of the fourth embodiment. The strip electrode 12 formed on the first substrate 14 is formed in a zigzag shape (stepped shape) having a bent portion 16 bent at a right angle, extends in the upper right direction by 45 degrees in the figure, and is formed on the second substrate 15. The electrode 13 is similarly formed in a zigzag shape having a bent portion 17 bent at a right angle, and extends 45 degrees in the upper left direction in the figure. Furthermore, the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 and the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 face each other so that a part of the parallel section P is parallel to the same direction, and dot spacers 21 are provided at both ends thereof. ing. On the other hand, the central part of the parallel section P, or the intersecting part of the strip electrode 12 and the strip electrode 13 are contact portions 22 and 23 of the strip electrode 12 and the strip electrode 13. When the contact portion 22 is pressed, the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 comes into contact with the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 and is conductive.
[0043]
The touch panel switch 11 of the fourth embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in the materials of the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15, the configuration of the strip electrodes 12 and 13, and the formation of the dot spacers 21. However, the dot spacer 21 is formed with a height of 15 μm and a diameter of 300 μm so that the contact load is 40 to 60 g.
[0044]
13A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13a-13a in FIG. 12, and FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13b-13b in FIG. As shown in these drawings, the band-like electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 and the band-like electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 face each other with the dot spacer 21 interposed therebetween, and the height of the dot spacer 21 is the same as the band-like electrode 12 and the band-like shape. The distance D between the electrodes of the electrode 13 is set.
[0045]
In the fourth embodiment, since the strip electrodes 12 and 13 are formed in a zigzag shape, the position of the contact portions 22 and 23 and the position of the dot spacer 21 can be brought close to each other. The distance D between the strip electrode 12 of the substrate 14 and the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 could be accurately controlled. In the fourth embodiment, by forming the dot spacer 21 between the upper and lower electrodes, the distance D between the upper and lower electrodes can be easily set to a height of 15 μm without affecting the thickness T of the upper and lower electrodes in mass production. Could be kept constant.
[0046]
In addition, this invention can also be implemented by changing the said embodiment or Example as another example shown below.
As shown in FIG. 14, the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 extends in a zigzag shape having a bent portion 16 bent at a right angle, and the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 is also bent at a right angle. A zigzag shape having a curved portion 17 extends in the vertical direction. The dot spacer 21 is provided on the bent portion 17 of the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15. That is, the dot spacers 21 are disposed in all the bent portions 17 of the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15, and the contact portions 22 and 23 are provided in the middle of the bent portions 16 and 17 (in the middle of the parallel section P). Yes. In addition, when the dot spacer 21 is arrange | positioned every other bent part 16, the contact part 22 will be located in the bent part 16 which has not arrange | positioned the dot spacer 21. FIG.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 15, the trunk electrode 24 of the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 is straight and extends in parallel in the horizontal direction, and the branch electrode 26 is spaced apart from one side (lower side in the figure) of the trunk electrode 24. And extend in the orthogonal direction. On the other hand, the trunk electrode 25 of the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 extends linearly in the vertical direction, and the island electrode 28 is separated from the trunk electrode 25 between the trunk electrodes 25, that is, the first substrate 14 and the first electrode. The two substrates 15 are provided at positions facing the tip of the branch electrode 26 of the first substrate 14 when the two substrates 15 are overlapped. The dot spacer 21 is provided on the island electrode 28 of the second substrate 15, and the contact portions 22 and 23 are provided at the intersections of the stem electrode 24 of the first substrate 14 and the stem electrode 25 of the second substrate 15. Here, although the island electrode 28 is separated from the trunk electrode 25, it corresponds to the branch electrode 27, and is included in the concept of the strip electrode 13 referred to in the present invention. Also in this case, the distance D between the strip-like electrodes 12 and 13 facing vertically is not affected by the thickness T of the electrodes, and the same effect as in the embodiment can be exhibited.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 16 (a), the strip electrodes 12, 13 are configured such that the branch electrodes 26, 27 alternately extend on both sides of the linear stem electrodes 24, 25, and the stem electrodes 24, 25 may be arranged orthogonally as indicated by a solid line and a two-dot chain line so that the tips of the branch electrodes 26 and 27 face each other. The dot spacer 21 is provided on the end of the branch electrode 27 or on the belt-like electrode 13 that is in the middle of the branching source of the adjacent branch electrode 27. When the dot spacer 21 is arranged at the tip of the branch electrode 26, the contact portions 22 and 23 are located in the middle of the branch source of the adjacent branch electrodes 26 and 27, and the branch source of the adjacent branch electrodes 26 and 27 is placed. When the dot spacer 21 is arranged in the middle, the contact portions 22 and 23 are positioned at the tips of the branch electrodes 26 and 27.
[0049]
Further, as shown in FIG. 16 (b), the strip electrodes 12, 13 are formed in a shape in which semicircles 32 are connected, and as shown in FIG. 16 (c), the strip electrodes 12, 13 are arranged in an arc 33 having a central angle of 45 degrees. As shown in FIG. 16D, the strip electrodes 12 and 13 can be formed in a shape in which the semicircles 32 are connected in the reverse direction.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 17A, the trunk electrode 24 of the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 is straight and extends in parallel in the lateral direction at equal intervals, and the branch electrode 26 is on one side of the trunk electrode 24 (in the drawing) It extends in the orthogonal direction at regular intervals on the upper side. On the other hand, the trunk electrode 25 of the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 is straight and extends in parallel in the longitudinal direction at equal intervals, and the branch electrode 27 is orthogonal to one side (left side in the figure) of the trunk electrode 25 at a constant interval. It extends to do. A dot spacer 21 is provided on the stem electrode 25 of the second substrate 15 at a portion orthogonal to the stem electrode 24 of the first substrate 14, and the tip of the branch electrode 26 of the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15 Contact portions 22 and 23 are provided at the tip of the branch electrode 27.
[0051]
Further, as shown in FIG. 17B, the trunk electrode 24 of the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 is linear and extends in parallel at equal intervals in the lateral direction, and the branch electrode 26 is on one side of the trunk electrode 24 (see FIG. 17). It extends so as to be orthogonal to the middle lower side at a predetermined interval. On the other hand, the trunk electrode 25 of the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 is straight and extends in parallel in the vertical direction at equal intervals, and the branch electrode 27 is on the trunk of the first substrate 14 on one side (right side in the drawing). It extends so as to be orthogonal to the electrode 24 at a predetermined interval along the electrode 24. A dot spacer 21 is provided at the tip of the branch electrode 27 of the second substrate 15, and contact portions 22 and 23 are provided on the tip of the branch electrode 26 of the first substrate 14 and the trunk electrode 25 of the second substrate 15. Is provided.
[0052]
As shown in FIG. 18A, the strip electrodes 12 of the first substrate 14 have a zigzag shape and extend in parallel at equal intervals in the lateral direction. On the other hand, the trunk electrode 24 of the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 is straight and extends in parallel in the vertical direction at equal intervals, and the branch electrode 27 is orthogonal to one side (right side in the figure) of the trunk electrode 25 at a constant interval. Extending in the direction. Here, the tip of the branch electrode 27 of the second substrate 15 is located on one bent portion 16 of the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14. And the dot spacer 21 is provided at the front-end | tip part of the branch electrode 27 of the 2nd board | substrate 15, and the trunk electrode 25 of the 2nd board | substrate 15 opposite to the other bending part 16 of the strip | belt-shaped electrode 12 of the 1st board | substrate 14 is provided. Are provided with contact portions 22 and 23.
[0053]
The modification shown in FIG. 18B is different from the modification shown in FIG. 18A in the following points, and the other configurations are the same. That is, the branch electrode 27 of the second substrate 15 extends in the left direction in the drawing. And the dot spacer 21 is provided in the part which cross | intersects one bending part 16 of the strip | belt-shaped electrode 12 of the 1st board | substrate 14 on the trunk electrode 25 of the 2nd board | substrate 15, and the other of the strip | belt-shaped electrode 12 of the 1st board | substrate 14 Contact portions 22 and 23 are provided at the distal end portion of the bent electrode 16 and the branch electrode 27 of the second substrate 15 opposed thereto.
[0054]
The modification shown in FIG. 18C is different from the modification shown in FIG. 18A in the following points, and the other configurations are the same. That is, the amplitude and wavelength of the zigzag shape of the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 are doubled, and one bent portion 16 is provided at every other end portion of the branch electrode 27 of the second substrate 15. Crossed. And the dot spacer 21 is provided in the front-end | tip part of the branch electrode 27 of the 2nd board | substrate 15, and the trunk | drum of the 2nd board | substrate 15 which opposes the linear part between the bending parts 16 of the strip | belt-shaped electrode 12 of the 1st board | substrate 14. Contact points 22 and 23 are provided on the electrode 25.
[0055]
The modified example shown in FIG. 18D is different from the modified example shown in FIG. 18B in the following points, and the other configurations are the same. In other words, the zigzag amplitude and wavelength of the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 are doubled, and one bent portion 16 intersects every other trunk electrode 25 of the second substrate 15. Yes. And the dot spacer 21 is provided in the part which cross | intersects the bending part 16 of the strip | belt-shaped electrode 12 of the 1st board | substrate 14 on the trunk electrode 25 of the 2nd board | substrate 15, and the bending part of the strip | belt-shaped electrode 12 of the 1st board | substrate 14 is provided. Contact portions 22 and 23 are provided at the linear portions between 16 and the tip portions of the branch electrodes 27 of the second substrate 15 opposed thereto.
[0056]
As shown in FIG. 19A, the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 has a zigzag shape having a bent portion 16 bent at a right angle, and extends in parallel at equal intervals in the lateral direction. On the other hand, the stem electrode 25 of the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 is linear and extends in parallel in the vertical direction at equal intervals. An island electrode 28 is formed in the middle portion of each stem electrode 25 independently of the stem electrode 25. They are arranged at regular intervals. Here, one bent portion 16 of the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 is in a position facing the island electrode 28 of the second substrate 15, and the other bent portion 16 is connected to the trunk electrode 25 of the second substrate 15. It is in a position to intersect. The dot spacer 21 is provided on the island electrode 28 of the second substrate 15, and the other bent portion 16 of the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 and the stem electrode 25 of the second substrate 15 facing the other bent portion 16 are in contact with each other. Portions 22 and 23 are provided.
[0057]
As shown in FIG. 19B, the trunk electrode 24 of the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 is linear and extends in parallel in the horizontal direction at equal intervals, and an island electrode 28 is formed in the middle portion of each trunk electrode 24. Independent of the stem electrode 25, they are arranged at a fixed interval. On the other hand, the stem electrode 25 of the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 is straight and extends in parallel in the vertical direction at equal intervals. An island electrode 28a is formed in the middle portion of each stem electrode 25 independently of the stem electrode 25. They are arranged at regular intervals. Here, the island electrode 28 of the first substrate 14 and the island electrode 28 of the second substrate 15 are in positions facing each other. The dot spacer 21 is provided on the island electrode 28 of the second substrate 15, and the contact portions 22, 23 are provided on the stem electrode 24 of the first substrate 14 and the stem electrode 25 of the second substrate 15 intersecting with the stem electrode 24. ing.
[0058]
20 to 27 show specific configurations in which the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15 are formed of a transparent resin, and the strip electrodes 12 and 13 are formed in a zigzag shape on the surfaces thereof. 20 is a plan view of the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15 superimposed on each other, FIG. 21 is a front view thereof, FIG. 22 is a rear view, FIG. 23 is a right side view, FIG. 24 is a left side view, and FIG. FIG. 26 is a plan view of the second substrate 15, FIG. 26 is a plan view of the first substrate 14, and FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the dot spacer 21 portion.
[0059]
As shown in FIG. 26, the strip-like electrodes 12 of the first substrate 14 are formed in a zigzag shape, extend in the lateral direction at regular intervals, and are converged into two at their right ends and connected to the connection portion 18. As shown in FIG. 25, the strip-like electrodes 13 of the second substrate 15 are formed in a zigzag shape, extend in the vertical direction at regular intervals, are converged at their lower ends, and are connected to the connecting portion 19. As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, when the first substrate 14 is superimposed on the second substrate 15 via the square frame plate 20, there is one space between the bent portions 16 and 17 of the strip electrodes 12 and 13. It overlaps every other. A dot spacer 21 is provided on one bent portion 17 of the overlapping portion of the band-like electrode 13 of the second substrate 15, and the other bent portion 17 and the band-like electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 facing the other bent portion 17 are provided. The bent portion 16 is provided with contact portions 22 and 23. As shown in FIG. 27, the top of the dot spacer 21 provided on the bent portion 17 of the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 abuts on the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14, and the upper and lower strip electrodes 12, 13. The space | interval D between is prescribed | regulated.
[0060]
A dot spacer 21 is provided on the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 or, depending on the case, the strip electrodes of both the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15 12, It is also possible to provide a dot spacer 21 on 13.
[0061]
-In this invention, although the 1st board | substrate 14 and the 2nd board | substrate 15 are comprised with a resin film, the concept of a resin film includes the resin sheet thicker than a resin film.
[0062]
The dot spacer 21 may have a cross-sectional elliptical arc shape, a cross-sectional trapezoidal shape, a cross-sectional triangular shape, a planar elliptical shape, a planar rectangular shape, or the like.
The extending direction of the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 and the extending direction of the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 are not necessarily orthogonal to each other, and may intersect at an angle according to the purpose.
[0063]
Furthermore, the technical idea grasped from the embodiment will be described below.
・ In the touch panel switch, Each strip electrode of the first substrate and each strip electrode of the second substrate are configured to intersect and face each other at at least two locations, and on the strip electrode of the first substrate or the second substrate at one intersection Dot spacers are provided, and contact portions are provided on the strip electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate at the other intersection. thing . When configured in this way, the distance between each strip electrode on the first substrate and each strip electrode on the second substrate can be made constant, and at the same time, each strip electrode on the first substrate and each strip electrode on the second substrate Can be electrically connected to each other.
[0064]
・ In the touch panel switch, Dot spacers are provided on the strip electrodes of the first substrate or the second substrate at both ends of the parallel section. thing . When comprised in this way, the density of a dot spacer can be raised and a precision can be improved about the space | interval between the strip | belt-shaped electrodes which oppose.
[0065]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be exhibited.
[0066]
Claim 1 Any one of Claim 6 According to the touch panel switch described in (1), the distance between the facing electrodes can be kept constant without being affected by the thickness of the electrodes, and the quality can be improved.
[0067]
According to the touch panel switch according to claim 2 or claim 3. , De The spacers and the contact portions can be evenly arranged, and the distance between the opposing electrodes can be kept even as a whole.
[0068]
According to the touch panel switch according to claim 4. ,band It is possible to increase the density of the electrode-like electrodes and bring the dot spacers and the contact portions closer to each other, and the interval between the electrodes facing each other can be accurately maintained.
[0069]
According to the touch panel switch of the fifth aspect, in addition to the effect of the invention of the fourth aspect, the distance between the strip electrodes on both substrates can be easily maintained, and the contact portion can be easily set.
[0070]
According to the touch panel switch of the sixth aspect, in addition to the effects of the invention according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the input operation can be facilitated and the contact load can be made uniform. Can be planned.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a touch panel switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partial plan view showing the arrangement of strip electrodes of a touch panel switch.
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a touch panel switch to which changes are made.
5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the touch panel switch of FIG. 4. FIG.
6 is a partial plan view showing the arrangement of strip-like electrodes in Example 1. FIG.
7A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7a-7a in FIG. 6, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7b-7b in FIG.
8 is a partial plan view showing the arrangement of strip electrodes in Embodiment 2. FIG.
9A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9a-9a in FIG. 8, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9b-9b in FIG.
10 is a partial plan view showing the arrangement of strip-like electrodes in Example 3. FIG.
11A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11a-11a in FIG. 10, and FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11b-11b in FIG.
12 is a partial plan view showing the arrangement of strip electrodes in Example 4. FIG.
13A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13a-13a in FIG. 12, and FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13b-13b in FIG.
FIG. 14 is a partial plan view showing the arrangement of strip electrodes in another example of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a partial plan view showing the arrangement of strip electrodes in yet another example.
FIGS. 16A to 16D are partial plan views showing other examples of the shape of the strip electrode. FIGS.
17A and 17B are partial plan views showing the arrangement of strip electrodes and the positions of dot spacers and contact portions as another example.
FIGS. 18A to 18D are partial plan views showing the arrangement of strip electrodes and the positions of dot spacers and contact portions as another example.
FIGS. 19A and 19B are partial plan views showing the arrangement of strip electrodes and the positions of dot spacers and contact portions as another example; FIGS.
FIG. 20 is a plan view showing a touch panel switch according to another example of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is a front view of FIG. 20;
22 is a rear view of FIG. 20;
FIG. 23 is a right side view of FIG.
24 is a left side view of FIG.
FIG. 25 is a plan view showing another example of the second substrate shown in FIG. 20;
FIG. 26 is a plan view showing another example of the first substrate shown in FIG. 20;
27 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 27-27 in FIG.
28A is a plan view showing the arrangement of strip electrodes and dot spacers of a conventional touch panel switch, and FIG. 28B is a sectional view taken along line 28b-28b in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Touch panel switch, 12, 13 ... Strip electrode, 14 ... 1st board | substrate, 15 ... 2nd board | substrate, 16, 17 ... Bending part, 21 ... Dot spacer, 22, 23 ... Contact part, 24, 25 ... Stem electrode , 26, 27 ... branch electrodes, 29 ... Protrusion for pressing, 30 ... Sheet for pressing, D: Spacing between strip electrodes, P: parallel section.

Claims

When a first substrate and a second substrate having a plurality of strip electrodes formed in parallel on the surface are provided, and the first substrate and the second substrate are overlapped with the strip electrodes inside, the strip electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate The band-shaped electrodes of the substrate extend in a direction intersecting, and dot spacers are provided only on at least one band-shaped electrode of the first substrate and the second substrate, and the dot spacers are in contact with the opposed band-shaped electrodes and between the band-shaped electrodes A contact portion that is arranged so as to determine the interval and is electrically connected when the belt-like electrode of the first substrate and the belt-like electrode of the second substrate are pressed in a direction in which both the belt-like electrodes are in contact with each other. A touch panel switch characterized by being provided.

When a first substrate and a second substrate having a plurality of strip electrodes formed in parallel on the surface are provided, and the first substrate and the second substrate are overlapped with the strip electrodes inside, the strip electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate The belt-like electrodes of the substrate extend in a crossing direction, and dot spacers are provided on at least one of the belt-like electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate. The band-shaped electrode of the first substrate and the band-shaped electrode of the second substrate are provided with contact portions that are electrically connected to each other when both the band-shaped electrodes are pressed in the contact direction. And
The strip electrode includes a stem electrode and a branch electrode extending orthogonally from the stem electrode, the stem electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate are provided at equal intervals, and the stem electrode of the first substrate and the second substrate and a stem electrode dot spacers are provided on the stem electrodes of the position orthogonal, have contact portion is formed on branch electrodes of the position and the finger electrode of the first substrate and the finger electrode of the second substrate are orthogonal filter touch panel switch.

When a first substrate and a second substrate having a plurality of strip electrodes formed in parallel on the surface are provided, and the first substrate and the second substrate are overlapped with the strip electrodes inside, the strip electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate The belt-like electrodes of the substrate extend in a crossing direction, and dot spacers are provided on at least one of the belt-like electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate. The band-shaped electrode of the first substrate and the band-shaped electrode of the second substrate are provided with contact portions that are electrically connected to each other when both the band-shaped electrodes are pressed in the contact direction. And
The strip electrode includes a trunk electrode and a branch electrode extending orthogonally from the trunk electrode, and the trunk electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate are provided at equal intervals, and the branch electrode of the first substrate and the second electrode of the second substrate are provided. branch electrode and the dot spacers are provided on the branch electrodes of the position orthogonal, have contact portions formed on the stem electrodes of the position where the stem electrodes of the first substrate and the main electrode of the second substrate are orthogonal filter touch panel switch.

When a first substrate and a second substrate having a plurality of strip electrodes formed in parallel on the surface are provided, and the first substrate and the second substrate are overlapped with the strip electrodes inside, the strip electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate The belt-like electrodes of the substrate extend in a crossing direction, and dot spacers are provided on at least one of the belt-like electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate. The band-shaped electrode of the first substrate and the band-shaped electrode of the second substrate are provided with contact portions that are electrically connected to each other when both the band-shaped electrodes are pressed in the contact direction. And
The band-shaped electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate are each formed in a zigzag shape having a bent portion that is bent at a substantially right angle for each predetermined length, and the band-shaped electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate extend in the orthogonal direction. Ruta pitch panel switch.

The strip electrode of the first substrate and the strip electrode of the second substrate extend in parallel in the in-plane direction of the first substrate and the second substrate in a state where the bent portions face each other at the intersection of the two strip electrodes. 5. The touch panel switch according to claim 4, wherein dot spacers are provided on the strip electrodes of the first substrate or the second substrate in the section, and contact portions are provided on the strip electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate in the parallel section. .

6. The pressing sheet according to claim 1, wherein pressing sheets provided with pressing protrusions so as to face the contact portions are laminated with a certain gap on the first substrate or the second substrate. The touch panel switch described.