JP7142221B2 - Input device and operation panel - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to input devices and operation panels.

An inspection device for inspecting a touch panel or the like is known (see Patent Document 1). The inspection device of Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of concentric electrodes that can approach or contact the surface of the touch panel and have a center electrode and a hollow electrode. The shape of the outer circumference of the electrode is formed to be larger than that of the center electrode. It is disclosed that this inspection apparatus simulates changes in the contact area due to changes in the force with which a finger or the like presses the touch panel.

JP 2015-194856 A

In recent years, a panel mounted on a vehicle often adopts a black tone to give a feeling of luxury, and a black ink containing carbon is used to give a black tone. However, the panel is a molded product, and heat during molding causes so-called percolation, in which carbon molecules are linked, and the electrical resistance of the panel is lowered, and the panel may change into a conductor. When a carbon layer containing carbon black is used in a UI (user interface) that is touched with a finger or the like, problems such as malfunction and detection failure occur, and a configuration for inspecting conductive properties is desired. Patent Document 1 does not take this situation into consideration.

Also, depending on the location of the carbon on the panel, it may be difficult to directly inspect the conductive properties of the carbon. For example, if the area where the carbon exists is surrounded by another member, it may be necessary to cut off a portion of the panel for measurement. In this case, it is difficult to measure the conductive properties of the panel.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and provides an input device and an operation panel that can easily measure the conductive properties of the operation panel.

The input device of the present disclosure includes a carbon layer containing carbon, a panel body, an adhesive for bonding the carbon layer to one surface of the panel body, an electrode disposed on the other surface of the panel body, and the panel. and an electrostatic film attached to the other surface of the main body so as to cover the electrodes, wherein the panel main body and the adhesive are in a range facing the electrostatic film. has at least two holes extending through the

The input device of the present disclosure comprises: a metal layer containing metal particles; a panel body; an adhesive that bonds the metal layer to one surface of the panel body; electrodes disposed on the other surface of the panel body; and an electrostatic film attached to the other surface of the main body so as to cover the electrodes, wherein the panel main body and the adhesive are in a range facing the electrostatic film. has at least two holes extending through the

The operation panel of the present disclosure includes a carbon layer containing carbon, a panel body, and an adhesive that adheres the carbon layer to one surface of the panel body, and the panel body and the adhesive are connected to the panel. At least two holes passing through the panel body and the adhesive are provided in a range facing the electrostatic film attached to the other surface of the body.

According to the present disclosure, an input device and an operation panel that can easily measure the conductive properties of the operation panel are provided.

1 is a front perspective view showing an example of an input device according to a first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4 is a front perspective view showing the electrostatic film and electrodes attached to the second surface of the input device; FIG. 2 is a cross section taken along line AA of FIG. 1 and shows the first embodiment of the input device; Schematic diagram showing carbon molecular structure before appearance of percolation Schematic diagram showing carbon molecular structure after appearance of percolation Schematic diagram showing a normal state with electrostatic sensitivity detection of the operation part of the input device Schematic diagram showing an abnormal state in the electrostatic sensitivity detection of the operation part of the input device Schematic diagram showing conductivity test of operation panel Schematic diagram of front view of operation unit Schematic diagram of the operation unit viewed from the back FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram showing the electrostatic film and the electrode bonded together. The front perspective view which shows the input device of the modification of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1, showing a second embodiment of the input device;

Hereinafter, an embodiment specifically disclosing an input device and an operation panel according to the present disclosure (hereinafter referred to as "this embodiment") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters and redundant descriptions of substantially the same configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary verbosity in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. It should be noted that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided for a thorough understanding of the present disclosure by those skilled in the art and are not intended to limit the claimed subject matter.

(First embodiment)
1 is a front perspective view showing an example of an input device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. FIG. 2 is a front perspective view showing the electrostatic film and electrodes applied to the second surface of the input device. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. An example of an input device and an operation panel according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG.

The input device 1 may be a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet, and is placed on a dashboard of a vehicle, etc., and operates an operation panel for operating air conditioners, audio, media, etc., and home appliances such as refrigerators and microwave ovens. It may have an operation panel, etc.

The input device 1 has an operation panel 10 . The operation panel 10 has a panel main body 11, an opening 12 opened in the panel main body 11, and an operation section 20 that can be operated with a finger S of a human body. As shown in FIG. 2, the opening 12 and the operating portion 20 are provided with electrostatic films 21 facing each other. A plurality of electrodes 22 are provided on the electrostatic film 21 corresponding to the operation unit 20 . A wiring pattern 23 is connected to the electrode 22 . The wiring pattern 23 is electrically connected to a control section (not shown) that receives and controls signals input from the electrodes 22 . The electrodes 22 function as operation buttons of the operation section 20 . Although two electrodes 22 are mainly illustrated, the number of electrodes 22 may be three or more.

As shown in FIG. 3, the operation unit 20 is provided with a recess 14 on the first surface 13 side of the panel body 11 . An adhesive (binder) 24 is applied to the bottom surface of the recess 14 . A carbon layer 25 is arranged on the upper surface of the adhesive 24 so as to cover the adhesive 24, and a transparent film (insert film) 26 for protecting the carbon layer 25 is provided. The panel main body 11 is provided with a plurality of holes 27 penetrating through the panel main body 11 . Hole 27 is formed to penetrate adhesive 24 . The insulating adhesive 24 is not printed on the portion where the hole 27 is formed. On the second surface 15 opposite to the first surface 13 of the panel body 11 , an electrode 22 and an electrostatic film 21 are attached so as to cover the electrode 22 . When the first surface 13 is one surface, the second surface 15 is the other surface.

In the operation unit 20, when the finger S approaches or touches the film 26 on the surface of the operation panel 10, electrostatic capacitive coupling occurs between the finger S and the electrode 22, and the electrostatic coupling is controlled by the control unit. This enables various operations such as air conditioning and media. In addition to the configuration described above, the operation unit 20 may include an identifier 40 such as a pattern or characters, which will be described later. Note that the finger S may be a stylus pen or other input means.

The input device 1 may include the operation panel 10 as well as a control section and a display section. The control unit may perform various processes on the input signal input to the input device 1 . The display unit may display information about the input signal and information about the input device 1 . The display unit may be provided in the opening 12 and may be a touch panel.

Operation panel 10 includes panel body 11 , adhesive 24 , carbon layer 25 and film 26 . Note that the operation panel 10 may or may not include the electrodes 22 and the electrostatic film 21 .

The operation panel 10 may be a resin molded product, and after applying an adhesive 24 to the panel body 11 and printing a carbon layer 25 with black ink or the like so as to be laminated on the adhesive 24, for example, insert molding or in-mold Molded by molding. Insert molding, in-mold molding, etc. include a process of heating the adhesive 24 and the carbon layer 25 . The heating increases the strength of the adhesive 24 and bonds the carbon layer 25 to the first surface 13 of the panel body 11 . In insert molding, preformed material is put into a mold and molded. In-mold molding is performed by directly inserting a mold into a mold and forming.

The operation panel 10 is molded containing a resin containing carbon black by the carbon layer 25, and is mounted on a vehicle or the like to create a high-class feeling. In addition, black that does not contain carbon may be tinged with colors such as slightly white or slightly yellow.

The thickness of the panel main body 11 is, for example, about 3 mm and is a molded resin product. The panel main body 11 may be made of not only resin but also glass as long as it is a dielectric.

The total thickness of the adhesive 24, carbon layer 25, and film 26 is, for example, approximately 0.3 mm. The film 26 is made of resin such as PC (polycarbonate), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), COP (cycloolefin polymer), or glass.

Here, percolation will be described with reference to FIG. The carbon layer 25 formed on the operation panel 10 may be heated during molding of the operation panel 10, and so-called percolation may occur in which the carbon molecules 25a are connected to each other. The carbon black used for the carbon layer 25 is a conductive filler dispersed in the polymer (see FIG. 4A). However, when heated, the conductor, which is carbon black, agglomerates at a specific concentration (threshold value) or higher, and the carbon molecules become percolated by lengthening the chain to connect the entire system, causing a percolation phenomenon that causes the development of conductivity (see FIG. 4B). ). The carbon layer 25 is heated and dried after being printed, and is also heated and dried during forming (for example, insert molding, in-mold molding). The carbon layer 25 can also be heated at other timings. Therefore, heat is applied during the process until the operation panel 10 is molded, and the possibility of percolation occurring increases each time heat is applied. The electrode 22 and the electrostatic film 21 may malfunction due to the increased conductivity of the carbon layer 25 . Moreover, percolation may occur even when insert molding or in-mold molding is not performed.

In the operation unit 20, when the finger S approaches or touches the operation panel 10, many electric lines of force are generated from the electrode 22 in a normal state (a state in which there is no or little percolation), the sensitivity is good, and the resistance value is high (Fig. 5A). On the other hand, when the percolation phenomenon occurs, the resistance value (impedance) of the operation panel 10 decreases, the lines of electric force, the capacitance, or the electric charges are dispersed, and the sensitivity decreases (see FIG. 5B). 5A and 5B, the carbon layer 25, the film 26, and the like are omitted.

In this embodiment, in order to measure whether the resistance value of the operation panel 10 is normal or not, the operation panel 10 is provided with a hole 27 penetrating through the panel main body 11 and the adhesive 24 . Before attaching the electrostatic film 21 and the electrode 22 to the operation panel 10, a tester T is inserted into the hole 27 as shown in FIG. ) can be measured with the tester T. Since the hole 27 penetrates the carbon layer 25 so that the tip of the tester T can come into direct contact with the carbon layer 25, it is possible to test the conductivity of the carbon layer 25 and measure the conductivity characteristics. The electrostatic film 21 and the electrode 22 are attached to the operation panel 10 after the continuity test of the carbon layer 25 and the measurement of the conductive properties.

The position of the hole 27 in the operation panel 10 may be determined according to the sticking position of at least one of the electrode 22 and the electrostatic film 21 attached to the operation panel 10 . The attachment positions of the electrode 22 and the electrostatic film 21 on the operation panel 10 may be determined before the electrode 22 and the electrostatic film 21 are attached. Therefore, in the operation panel 10, the holes 27 can be provided before the electrodes 22 and the electrostatic film 21 are adhered. Note that the electrode 22 and the electrostatic film 21 may be attached to the operation panel 10 by a method other than attachment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the operation section 20 viewed from the first surface 13 side of the operation panel 10 (as seen from the front). FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the operation unit 20 as seen from the second surface 15 side of the operation panel 10 (as viewed from the back). The operation unit 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG.

Identifiers 40 related to touch keys are formed in the operation unit 20 . The identifier 40 may be characters, pictures, or the like. The identifier 40 may be formed by cutting a part of the carbon layer 25, in which case the resistance value of the carbon layer 25 does not drop. A pair of two holes 27 are formed for one electrode 22 on the back surface of the carbon layer 25 . The hole 27 may be provided in a region where the carbon layer 25 is removed and the identifier 40 is not formed.

By forming the two holes 27 in the range facing the electrode 22 in the operation panel 10, the conductive properties that are important in the vicinity of the electrode 22 pressed or approached by the finger S can be measured. By measuring the vicinity of the electrode 22, the conductive properties of the operation panel 10 can be measured with high accuracy.

Also, the hole 27 is formed from the second surface 15 side of the operation panel 10 . Therefore, it is not visible from the front of the input device 1 and has a good appearance design. No need to destroy. Further, after the operation panel 10 is molded, a conductivity test using a pseudo finger is no longer necessary, so that the conductivity characteristics can be easily measured, and mass productivity is improved. Since the electrodes 22 and the electrostatic film 21 are attached after measurement by the tester T, the performance of the input device 1 as a guide can be ensured before shipment.

One surface (finger S side) of the carbon layer 25 is covered with the film 26, and the other surface (the surface facing the bottom surface of the recess 14) and the side surface (the surface facing the side surface of the recess 14) of the carbon layer 25 are the panel body. covered by 11. Therefore, each surface of the carbon layer 25 is covered. Therefore, it is difficult to directly measure the conductive properties of the carbon layer 25, but even in such a configuration, the conductive properties can be directly measured through the holes 27 without cutting the molded operation panel 10, for example.

(Modification)
FIG. 9 is a front perspective view showing the input device 1 of the modified example of the first embodiment. A modified input device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

In the modified example of the first embodiment, the hole 27 is also provided at the side end (X-direction end) or upper end (Y-direction end) of the operation panel 10 . A panel body 11 exists around the opening 12 . A wiring pattern 23 electrically connected to the electrode 22 may be provided on the second surface 15 side of the operation panel 10 . The wiring pattern 23 is located at the side end or upper end of the operation panel 10 where the hole 27 is provided in the XY plane. Since the operation panel 10 is a molded resin product containing carbon, there is a possibility of percolation of carbon molecules due to heating during molding. Due to the decrease in electrical resistance due to percolation, the electrical characteristics of the wiring pattern 23 may change (for example, deteriorate). The electrical characteristics of the wiring pattern 23 can be measured by inserting the tester T into the two holes 27 arranged at the side end or upper end of the operation panel 10 . The number of the pair of holes 27 is arbitrary depending on the shape and structure of the operation panel 10 and the panel main body 11, the position of the wiring pattern 23, etc., and is not limited.

(Second embodiment)
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the input device 1 according to the second embodiment. This section corresponds to the AA section in FIG. Based on FIG. 10, the input device 1 of this embodiment will be described.

In the second embodiment, it is assumed that the carbon layer 25 in the first embodiment is a metal layer 30 containing metal particles. Since the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the metal layer 30 is provided, detailed description is omitted.

The metal layer 30 is, for example, aluminum, copper, nickel, indium, etc. Aluminum and nickel develop a silver color. Copper produces a copper color. Indium develops an indigo color. Also, the metal layer 30 may contain both carbon and metal. Furthermore, the metal layer 30 and the carbon layer 25 may be used together.

In the case of the metal layer 30 , although it is not a percolation phenomenon, conductivity occurs in the portion of the metal particles, and the conductive properties of the operation unit 20 may deteriorate. Even in this case, the tester T can be inserted into the hole 27 and the electrical characteristics (for example, the resistance value and the impedance value) in the metal layer 30 can be directly measured by the tester T. FIG. Also in the second embodiment, since the electrodes 22 and the electrostatic film 21 can be measured before being attached to the operation panel 10, the electrodes 22 and the electrostatic film 21 are not damaged, and the input device with good conductive characteristics can be used. 1 can be shipped.

As described above, the input device 1 of the above embodiment includes the carbon layer 25 containing carbon, the panel body 11, and the adhesive for bonding the carbon layer 25 to the first surface 13 (an example of one surface) of the panel body 11. 24, an electrode 22 arranged on the second surface 15 (an example of the other surface) of the panel body 11, and an electrostatic film 21 attached to the other surface of the panel body 11 so as to cover the electrode 22. good. The panel main body 11 and the adhesive 24 may have at least two holes 27 (an example of through holes) penetrating the panel main body 11 and the adhesive 24 in the range facing the electrostatic film 21 .
Here, in the first embodiment, the modified example of the first embodiment, and the second embodiment, the portion where the hole 27 of the operation panel 10 is provided is not provided with the hole 27. The thickness of the panel is thinner than that of the part without it. As a result, the strength of the operation panel 10 may be reduced and the color unevenness may occur. This makes it possible to improve the strength of the operation panel 10 and make color unevenness inconspicuous.

As a result, the input device 1 can easily and directly measure the electrical characteristics (resistance value, impedance value, etc.) of the carbon layer 25 by inserting the tester T into the two holes 27 without destroying the operation panel 10. . In addition, although the carbon layer 25 may become highly conductive due to the percolation phenomenon, the input device 1 can inspect whether or not it has a predetermined level or more of conductivity. Since the hole 27 is formed on the other side (invisible side) of the operation panel 10, it cannot be seen from the front side of the operation panel 10, and the appearance is improved. Furthermore, since inspections for ensuring quality can be easily performed, inspection time and costs (equipment, work, panels for cutting, etc.) can be reduced.

Also, the panel body 11 and the adhesive 24 may have two holes 27 in a range facing the electrode 22 . Actually, since the user presses or brings the vicinity of the electrode 22 closer, the conductive properties of the vicinity of the electrode 22 are important. By measuring this portion, the input device 1 can measure the conductive properties of the operation panel 10 with high accuracy.

Also, in the carbon layer 25, the area of the identifier 40 may be generated by excluding carbon. The panel body 11 and the adhesive 24 may have at least two holes 27 in a range not facing the identifier 40 area of the carbon layer 25 . As a result, since no carbon is present in the area of the identifier 40, the conductive properties of the carbon layer 25 can be measured with high accuracy by measuring positions other than this area.

Also, the entire surface of the carbon layer 25 may be covered with the panel body 11 or the film 26 . As a result, since each surface of the carbon layer 25 is covered, it is difficult to directly measure the conductive properties of the carbon layer 25. , can be measured through the hole 27 .

The input device 1 may also have wiring patterns 23 connected to the electrodes 22 . A part of the carbon layer 25 may face the wiring pattern 23 in the stacking direction of the electrode 22 , the panel body 11 and the carbon layer 25 . As a result, the percolation phenomenon of the carbon layer 25 corresponding to the wiring pattern 23 may degrade the conductive characteristics of the wiring pattern. It can be measured without destruction.

Also, the operation panel 10 may be formed by including the carbon layer 25 , the panel main body 11 and the adhesive 24 . The operation panel 10 may be molded by heating the carbon layer 25 . In this case, the heating of the carbon increases the adhesive strength of the adhesive 24, and while the carbon layer 25 is strongly bonded to the operation panel 10, percolation often occurs. Even in this case, the input device 1 can measure the conductive properties near the electrodes 22 without destroying the operation panel 10 .

The input device 1 of the above embodiment includes a metal layer 30 containing metal particles, a panel body 11, an adhesive 24 for adhering the metal layer 30 to one surface of the panel body 11, and a and an electrostatic film 21 attached to the other surface of the panel body 11 so as to cover the electrode 22 . The panel body 11 and the adhesive 24 may have at least two holes 27 penetrating through the panel body 11 and the adhesive 24 in the range facing the electrostatic film 21 .

Conductivity occurs in the metal particle portion of the metal layer 30 , and the conductive properties of the operation unit 20 may deteriorate. Even in this case, the input device 1 allows the tester T to be inserted into the two holes 27 without destroying the operation panel 10, and the electrical characteristics (for example, the resistance value and the impedance value) in the metal layer 30 are directly measured by the tester. can be measured in T. Since the hole 27 is formed on the other side of the operation panel 10, it cannot be seen from the front side of the panel main body 11, and the appearance is improved. Furthermore, since inspections for ensuring quality can be easily performed, inspection time and costs (equipment, work, panels for cutting, etc.) can be reduced.

The operation panel 10 of the above embodiment may include the carbon layer 25 containing carbon, the panel body 11 , and the adhesive 24 that bonds the carbon layer 25 to one surface of the panel body 11 . The panel main body 11 and the adhesive 24 have at least two holes 27 penetrating the panel main body 11 and the adhesive 24 in a range facing the electrostatic film 21 attached to the other surface of the panel main body 11 . you can

As a result, the operation panel 10 can easily and directly measure the electrical characteristics (resistance, impedance, etc.) of the carbon layer 25 by inserting the tester T into the two holes 27 without destroying the operation panel 10. becomes. Moreover, although the conductivity of the carbon layer 25 may be increased due to the percolation phenomenon, it is possible to inspect whether or not the conductivity exceeds a predetermined level. Since the hole 27 is formed on the other side of the operation panel 10, it is not visible from the front side of the operation panel 10, and the appearance is improved. Furthermore, since inspections for ensuring quality can be easily performed, inspection time and costs (equipment, work, panels for cutting, etc.) can be reduced.

Although the embodiments of the input device and operation panel according to the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is obvious that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications, modifications, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents within the scope of the claims. Naturally, it is understood that it belongs to the technical scope of the present disclosure.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present disclosure is useful for input devices, operation panels, etc. that can easily measure the conductive properties of the operation panel.

1 Input device 10 Operation panel 11 Panel body 12 Opening 13 First surface 14 Recess 15 Second surface 20 Operation unit 21 Electrostatic film 22 Electrode 23 Wiring pattern 24 Adhesive 25 Carbon layer 26 Film 27 Hole 30 Metal layer 40 Identifier S finger T tester

Claims (8)

a carbon layer containing carbon;
the panel body,
an adhesive that adheres the carbon layer to one surface of the panel body;
an electrode disposed on the other surface of the panel body;
an electrostatic film attached to the other surface of the panel body so as to cover the electrodes;
with
The panel body and the adhesive have at least two holes penetrating the panel body and the adhesive in a range facing the electrostatic film,
input device. The panel body and the adhesive have two holes in a range facing the electrodes,
The input device according to claim 1. In the carbon layer, an identifier region is generated by excluding the carbon,
The panel body and the adhesive have at least two holes in a range that does not face the identifier region of the carbon layer,
3. The input device according to claim 1 or 2. further comprising a film,
The entire surface of the carbon layer is covered with the panel body or the film,
The input device according to any one of claims 1-3. further comprising a wiring pattern connected to the electrode;
A part of the carbon layer faces the wiring pattern in a stacking direction of the electrode, the panel body, and the carbon layer,
The input device according to any one of claims 1-4. forming an operation panel including the carbon layer, the panel body, and the adhesive;
The operation panel is formed by heating the carbon layer,
The input device according to any one of claims 1-5. a metal layer containing metal particles;
the panel body,
an adhesive that adheres the metal layer to one surface of the panel body;
an electrode disposed on the other surface of the panel body;
an electrostatic film attached to the other surface of the panel body so as to cover the electrodes;
with
The panel body and the adhesive have at least two holes penetrating the panel body and the adhesive in a range facing the electrostatic film,
input device. a carbon layer containing carbon;
the panel body,
an adhesive that adheres the carbon layer to one surface of the panel body;
with
The panel body and the adhesive have at least two holes penetrating the panel body and the adhesive in a range facing the electrostatic film attached to the other surface of the panel body,
control panel.

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