JP4611268B2 - Pressure sensitive device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pressure-sensitive device, and more particularly to a pressure-sensitive device using a stress-stimulated luminescent material that emits light only by applying pressure.

As a conventional pressure-sensitive device, there is a non-power-supply piezoelectric light-emitting device using a piezoelectric element and a light-emitting element such as an LED (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-351416 A

  However, since the above-described piezoelectric light emitting device requires two devices, a piezoelectric element and a light emitting element, there is a limit to downsizing and the application range is limited. Furthermore, since the piezoelectric element does not generate electricity at a static pressure and requires an impact force, there is a problem that the applicable range is further limited.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a pressure-sensitive device that is small and versatile.

  In order to achieve the above object, the pressure-sensitive device according to the present invention is used to concentrate a number of stresses on the upper surface between a touch sensor body in which a pressure-sensitive layer is vertically laminated and integrated between a pair of electrode layers and a stress light-emitting layer. A stress-concentrated layer with protrusions is arranged and laminated and integrated, and the stress-light-emitting layer is compressed in the thickness direction by direct pressurization from the outside to the stress-light-emitting layer, while emitting light. The pressure-sensitive layer of the touch sensor main body is compressed in the thickness direction via a convex portion, and the pair of electrode layers are electrically connected to each other.

According to the present invention, since the stress light emitting layer is formed, the piezoelectric element is not required, and the miniaturization is easy. Furthermore, since the stress light emitting layer emits light only by applying pressure, an impact force as in the conventional example is not required, and a pressure-sensitive device having excellent versatility can be obtained. Further, when a predetermined position is pressed, the touch sensor main body becomes conductive and the stress light emitting layer emits light, so that the operation can be easily confirmed.
According to the present invention, in addition to the above-described effects, the pressing force is locally concentrated through the stress concentration layer, and the stress light emitting layer is pressed with a high pressure. For this reason, even if it is the same pressing operation, there exists an effect that a pressure sensitive device with high brightness | luminance of light emission can be obtained.

As another pressure-sensitive device according to the present invention, a touch sensor main body in which a pair of electrodes are arranged adjacent to each other on both sides of a stress concentration convex portion projecting from the upper surface of the pressure-sensitive layer, and disposed on the upper surface of the electrode. The stress light emission layer is formed by laminating and integrating the touch sensor main body via the insulating layer, and the stress light emission layer located immediately above the stress concentration convex portion is directly pressed from the outside upward, thereby causing the stress light emission. While the layers are compressed in the thickness direction to emit light, the electrodes of the touch sensor main body may be electrically connected to each other via the compressed stress concentration convex portions.
As another pressure-sensitive device according to the present invention, a stress concentration convex portion protruding from the upper surface of the pressure-sensitive layer is protruded from the through hole of one electrode, and an insulating layer laminated on the one electrode is provided. The other electrode and the stress light emitting layer are sequentially laminated and integrated, and the stress light emitting layer is compressed in the thickness direction by directly pressing the stress light emitting layer located above the stress concentration convex portion from the upper outside. Alternatively, the electrodes may be electrically connected to each other through the compressed stress concentration convex portions.

An embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the first embodiment according to the present invention is applied to a touch pad, and a stress light emitting layer 30 is laminated and integrated on a touch pad body 10 (FIG. 1A).

  The touch pad body 10 is formed by laminating and integrating electrode layers 12 and 13 on the front and back surfaces of the pressure sensitive layer 11. Then, the electrodes 12 and 13 are conducted through the pressure-sensitive layer 11 by pressing an arbitrary position with a predetermined pressure.

  The stress-stimulated luminescent layer 30 is formed by laminating a stress-stimulated luminescent material. The stress-stimulated luminescent material is a material that emits light only by pressurization. For example, the stress-stimulated luminescent material disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-63824 is disclosed. Can be mentioned.

  Therefore, when a pressure is applied to an arbitrary position, a part 30a of the stress light emitting layer 30 located immediately below the portion where the pressure is applied emits light (see FIG. 1B), and the pressure sensitive layer 11 is interposed. The electrode layers 12 and 13 are conducted.

  According to this embodiment, since the stress light emitting layer 30 is formed, a piezoelectric element is not required, and the miniaturization is easy. Furthermore, since the stress light emitting layer 30 emits light only when a pressure is applied, it does not require an impact force as in the conventional example and is excellent in versatility. In addition, even if an arbitrary portion of the stress-stimulated luminescent layer 30 is pressed, it is conductive and emits light, so that there are advantages that the operation confirmation is easy and the pressing position can be easily recognized.

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the stress concentration layer 14 is formed between the touch pad body 10 and the stress light emitting layer 30. The stress concentration layer 14 has a large number of concave and convex portions arranged at the interface of the stress light emitting layer 30. This is provided in order to locally increase the contact pressure through the concavo-convex portion in view of the fact that the greater the pressure applied to the stress luminescent layer 30, the higher the light emission amount and luminance of the stress luminescent layer 30.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when pressure is applied to an arbitrary position of the stress light emitting layer 30, a part 30b of the stress light emitting layer 30 located immediately below the pressing position is in a circle centered on the pressing position. As shown in FIG. 1B, the electrode layers 12 and 13 are conducted through the pressure-sensitive layer 11.

  According to this embodiment, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, there is an advantage that light with high luminance can be secured.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the third embodiment is a case where it is applied to a touch sensor, and a case where the stress light emitting layer 30 is laminated and integrated with the touch sensor body 15. The touch sensor body 15 has electrodes 17a and 17b arranged on both sides of a stress concentration convex portion 16a projecting from the upper surface of the pressure sensitive layer 16, and an insulating layer 18 arranged on the upper surfaces of the electrodes 17a and 17b. The stress light emitting layer 30 is laminated and integrated. The electrodes 17a and 17b are connected to the touch detection circuit 19, respectively. The stress-stimulated luminescent layer 30 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and a description thereof is omitted.

Accordingly, when the stress light emitting layer 30 located immediately above the stress concentration convex portion 16a is pushed down, the stress light emitting layer 30 emits light, and the electrodes 17a and 17b pass through the compressed stress concentration convex portion 16a. Is conducted, and a pressing signal is output to the touch detection circuit 19.
According to the present embodiment, if the predetermined stress concentration convex portion 16a is not pressed, a pressing signal is not output, and thus there is an advantage that an erroneous operation can be prevented.

As shown in FIG. 4, the fourth embodiment is a case where the fourth embodiment is applied to a touch sensor as in the third embodiment.
That is, in the touch sensor main body 15, the stress concentration convex portion 16a protruding from the upper surface of the pressure-sensitive layer 16 protrudes from the through hole of the electrode 17a. Further, the electrode 17b and the stress light emitting layer 30 are sequentially laminated and integrated through the insulating layer 18 laminated on the electrode 17a. The electrodes 17a and 17b are connected to the touch detection circuit 19, respectively. The stress-stimulated luminescent layer 30 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Accordingly, when the stress light emitting layer 30 located immediately above the stress concentration convex portion 16a is pushed down, the stress light emitting layer 30 emits light, and the electrodes 17a and 17b pass through the compressed stress concentration convex portion 16a. Is conducted, a pressing signal is output to the touch detection circuit 19, and position information is obtained.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the fifth embodiment is a case where a signal is directly output by a pressing force, whereas the stress light emitting layer 30 laminated and integrated with the stress concentration layer 14 is not illustrated. This is a case where light received by the means is received by the light receiving element 20. Examples of the light receiving element 20 include a photodiode or a phototransistor.

As a specific example of the fifth embodiment, there is a case where it is applied to a linear switch as shown in FIG.
That is, the stress light emitting layer 30 is laminated and integrated on the piezoelectric actuator (or electrostatic actuator) 21, while the light receiving element 20 is disposed in the vicinity of the stress light emitting layer 30.

  Therefore, when the piezoelectric actuator 21 is driven by applying a voltage, the piezoelectric actuator 21 is deformed, presses the stress light emitting layer 30 to emit light, and the light receiving element 20 receives the light and outputs a signal. According to the present embodiment, since the input and the output are linear, a linear switch in which the light emission amount changes according to the applied voltage and the output changes can be obtained.

As another specific example of the fifth embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, it may be applied to a frequency detection switch.
That is, the conductive pattern 23 is provided on the diaphragm (or piezoelectric actuator) 22 having the resonance point, and the stress light emitting layer 30 is laminated and integrated, while the light receiving element 20 is disposed in the vicinity of the stress light emitting layer 30. .

  When a voltage is applied to the diaphragm 22 through the conductive pattern 23, the diaphragm 22 resonates when a predetermined resonance frequency is reached, and the stress light emitting layer 30 is pressed to emit light, and the light is received by the light receiving element 20. Receives light and outputs a signal. Therefore, a frequency detection switch that detects a predetermined frequency and outputs a signal is obtained.

The sixth embodiment is a case where the present invention is applied to a liquid amount detection device as shown in FIG.
That is, the stress light emitting layer 30 is laminated and integrated on one surface of the support plate 24 erected in the fluid. When the stress light emitting layer 30 emits light, a light receiving element (not shown) for detecting the light is disposed in the vicinity of the stress light emitting layer 30.

Therefore, when the support plate 24 is pushed and bent by the pressure of the fluid, the pressing force is applied to the stress light emitting layer 30, and the stress light emitting layer 30 emits light. In particular, the higher the fluid flow rate, the greater the pressure on the support plate 24, the light emission position of the stress light emitting layer 30 moves to the base of the support plate 24, the brightness increases, and the flow rate and the like are measured. Can do.
In addition, in this embodiment, if the stress light emitting layer is formed on both surfaces of the support plate, there is an advantage that it is possible to detect even when the flow of the fluid changes in the opposite direction.

The seventh embodiment is a case where the present invention is applied to an impact force detection device as shown in FIG.
That is, this is a case where the spherical body 26 is slidably accommodated in the spherical shell 25 that is plastically deformed when an excessive impact force is applied, and the outer peripheral surface of the spherical shell 25 is covered with the stress light emitting layer 30.
According to this embodiment, when an impact force is applied from the outside to the impact force detection device, the sphere 26 collides with the spherical shell 25 and plastically deforms. Therefore, the plastically deformed portion of the spherical shell 25 presses the stress light emitting layer 30 to emit light, and a history that an excessive impact force is applied is displayed by a light emitting phenomenon.

  As a method of using this embodiment, for example, it is attached when transporting an expensive electronic device or the like, and it is determined whether the electronic device is damaged during transportation or whether it has been damaged before transportation. There is a method of using it as an instrument.

In the eighth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the stress light emitting layer 30 is laminated and integrated on the IC card 27.
According to the present embodiment, when an external force to the extent that an IC (not shown) sealed on the IC card 27 is damaged is applied, the stress light emitting layer 30 emits light and informs the user that the IC is damaged. be able to.

  In the sixth, seventh, and eighth embodiments described above, if necessary, a stress concentration layer may be provided at the interface of the stress light emitting layer 30 to increase the luminance of light.

  According to the present invention, since the stress light emitting layer is formed, the piezoelectric element is not required and the size can be easily reduced. Furthermore, since an impact force as in the conventional example is not required and light is emitted only by applying pressure, there is an effect that a pressure-sensitive device having excellent versatility can be obtained.

  The pressure-sensitive device according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be applied to other pressure-sensitive devices.

1 shows a first embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. A is a sectional view, and FIG. B is a sectional view and a partial plan view showing an operation state. A 2nd embodiment concerning the present invention is shown, and Drawing A is a sectional view and Drawing B is a sectional view and a partial top view showing an operation state. It is sectional drawing which shows the operation state of 3rd Embodiment concerning this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the operation state of 4th Embodiment concerning this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the operation state of 5th Embodiment concerning this invention. It is the schematic which shows the specific example of 5th Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the other specific example of 5th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows operation | movement of 6th Embodiment concerning this invention. It is sectional drawing of 7th Embodiment concerning this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows 8th Embodiment concerning this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10: Touch pad main body 11: Pressure sensitive layer 12, 13: Electrode 14: Stress concentration layer 15: Touch sensor main body 16: Pressure sensitive layer 16a: Stress concentration convex part 17a, 17b: Electrode 18: Insulating layer 20: Light receiving element 21: Piezoelectric actuator 22: Diaphragm 23: Conductive pattern 24: Support plate 25: Spherical shell 26: Spherical body 27: IC card 30: Stress light emitting layer

Claims (3)

  A stress concentration layer with a number of convex portions for stress concentration on the upper surface is placed between the touch sensor body and the stress light-emitting layer, which are stacked and integrated with pressure sensitive layers between a pair of electrode layers. The stress luminescent layer is compressed in the thickness direction by direct pressurization from the outside to the stress luminescent layer to emit light, while the pressure-sensitive layer of the touch sensor body is thickened through the stress concentration convex portion. A pressure-sensitive device that compresses in a direction and conducts the pair of electrode layers to each other.   A touch sensor body in which a pair of electrodes are arranged adjacent to each other on both sides of a stress concentration convex portion projecting from the upper surface of the pressure-sensitive layer, and laminated on the touch sensor body via an insulating layer disposed on the upper surface of the electrode The stress-stimulated light-emitting layer comprises an integrated stress-stimulated light-emitting layer, and the stress-stimulated light-emitting layer is compressed in the thickness direction to emit light by directly pressing the stress-stimulated light-emitting layer located directly above the stress-concentrating convex portion from above. A pressure-sensitive device characterized in that the electrodes of the touch sensor body are electrically connected to each other through the compressed stress concentration convex portions. The stress concentration convex portion protruding from the upper surface of the pressure sensitive layer is projected from the through hole of one electrode, and the other electrode and the stress light emitting layer are sequentially laminated and integrated through an insulating layer laminated on one of the electrodes. , by pressing directly the stress light-emitting layer positioned above the stress concentration protrusion externally above, while light is emitted by compressing the stress light-emitting layer in the thickness direction, compressed the stress concentration projection A pressure-sensitive device characterized in that the electrodes are electrically connected to each other through a section.

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