JPWO2015020151A1 - switch - Google Patents

Abstract

A first insulating substrate (11) having an upper electrode (13), and a second insulating substrate having a lower electrode (14) that can contact or separate from the upper electrode (13) through an opening (17) (12), and the upper electrode (13) and / or the lower electrode (14) includes a pair of counter electrodes (141, 142) insulated from each other, and one counter electrode (141) is a spacer Another counter electrode (142) which is located in the center of the opening and includes a central region to which a pressing force is first applied so as to contact the upper electrode (13) and the lower electrode (14) and which forms a pair with the counter electrode (141) ) Side first extension electrode (141B1) and a second branch electrode (141B2) provided outside the first branch electrode (141B2), and the circuit length of the second branch electrode (141B2) is set to the first branch electrode (141B2). 141B1) longer than the circuit length.

Description

  The present invention relates to a switch having a pressure-sensitive function used for electronic equipment and the like.

  A switch including a pair of electrodes that are insulated from each other and having comb-like electrodes extending to the electrodes is known (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 3980300 FIG.

  However, in the conventional comb-shaped electrode, when a load is applied, the comb tooth at the center of the contact is conducted, and then the second comb tooth adjacent to the contact tooth at the center of the contact is conducted. There is a problem that the resistance value is greatly reduced.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to prevent the resistance value from greatly decreasing when the application of a load is started.

  [1] A switch according to the present invention includes a first contact member having an upper electrode, a spacer provided with an opening in a region corresponding to the upper electrode, and the upper electrode through the opening. A lower electrode that can be spaced apart, and a second contact member that is disposed to face the first contact member with the spacer in between, the upper electrode and / or the lower electrode being mutually A pair of insulated counter electrodes is provided, and one counter electrode and the other counter electrode forming the pair of counter electrodes are positioned at the center of the opening of the spacer, and the upper electrode and the lower electrode are brought into contact with each other. A first branch electrode including a central region to which pressure is first applied and extending toward another counter electrode that forms a pair with the counter electrode, each of the counter electrodes being a pair of another counter electrode that forms the pair; Of the first branch electrode A second branch electrode including a parallel region provided along the central region is provided at a position outside the central region, and the circuit length of the second branch electrode is greater than the circuit length of the first branch electrode. Characterized by its long length.

  [2] In the above invention, the distance from the central region to the open end of the second branch electrode can be shorter than the distance from the central region to the open end of the first branch electrode.

  [3] In the above invention, the second branch electrode has a crank region that intersects a direction extending toward another counter electrode that forms a pair with the counter electrode at a predetermined angle and that is continuous with the parallel region. it can.

  [4] In the above invention, the counter electrode includes a third branch electrode that is provided next to the first branch electrode included in the counter electrode and extends to another counter electrode side that forms a pair with the counter electrode. And the circuit length of the third branch electrode can be shorter than the circuit length of the first branch electrode.

  [5] In the above invention, the counter electrode includes a third branch electrode that is provided next to the first branch electrode included in the counter electrode and extends to another counter electrode that forms a pair with the counter electrode. And the circuit length of the third branch electrode can be shorter than the circuit length of the second branch electrode.

  [6] In the above invention, the pair of pairs is arranged such that an open end portion connected to a parallel region of the second branch electrode in the one counter electrode faces an open end portion of the third branch electrode in the other counter electrode. Counter electrodes can be arranged.

  [7] In the above invention, the counter electrode includes a fourth branch electrode that is provided next to the third branch electrode included in the counter electrode and extends toward another counter electrode that forms a pair with the counter electrode. And the width of the fourth branch electrode can be wider than the width of the first branch electrode.

  [8] In the above invention, each of the counter electrodes includes a high-resistance electrode having a relatively high resistance value and a low-resistance electrode having a relatively low resistance value. It can be formed as a partial lower layer of the fourth branch electrode.

  [9] In the above invention, each of the counter electrodes includes a high resistance electrode having a relatively high resistance value and a low resistance electrode having a relatively low resistance value, and the branch electrode is configured by the high resistance electrode. In addition, the circuit length of the branch electrode is connected to the low resistance electrode, and the pressing force for contacting the upper electrode and the lower electrode is first applied to the branch electrode from the connection end connected to the low resistance electrode. It can be the length to the contact point.

  [10] In the above invention, each of the counter electrodes is connected to a wiring for sending an on / off signal of the switch to the outside, and the circuit length of the branch electrode is determined from the connection end connected to the wiring to the branch electrode. It can be a length up to a contact point where a pressing force for bringing the upper electrode and the lower electrode into contact is first applied.

  [11] In the above invention, the counter electrode includes a high resistance electrode having a relatively high resistance value and a low resistance electrode having a relatively low resistance value, and the low resistance electrode is connected to the opening of the spacer. It can be provided outside the inner edge.

  [12] In the above invention, it may be configured to further include a pressing element that is arranged to face the center of the opening and presses the upper electrode and / or the lower electrode.

  [13] In the above invention, the pair of counter electrodes can be arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the opening.

  [14] The switch according to the present invention includes a first contact member having an upper electrode, a spacer having an opening in a region corresponding to the upper electrode, and the upper electrode through the opening. A lower electrode that can be spaced apart, and a second contact member that is disposed to face the first contact member with the spacer in between, the upper electrode and / or the lower electrode being mutually A pair of insulated counter electrodes is provided, and one counter electrode and the other counter electrode forming the pair of counter electrodes are positioned at the center of the opening of the spacer, and the upper electrode and the lower electrode are brought into contact with each other. Each of the counter electrodes includes a first branch electrode that includes a central region to which pressure is first applied and extends toward another counter electrode that forms a pair with the counter electrode, and the counter electrode forms another pair of counter electrodes. Center of The second branch electrode provided to the first branch electrode at a position outside the center from the center of the opening, and the second branch electrode included in the counter electrode is separated from the center of the opening. A third branch electrode that is provided alongside the second branch electrode and extends to the other side of the counter electrode that forms a pair with the counter electrode; and the circuit length of the third branch electrode is It is characterized by being shorter than the circuit length of the second branch electrode.

  According to the present invention, the circuit length of the first branch electrode including the central region located at the center of the opening of the spacer and the second branch electrode including the parallel region provided along the first branch electrode is reduced. Since it is longer than the circuit length of one polarization electrode, it is possible to prevent the resistance value from greatly decreasing when the application of a load is started. As a result, a switch with high sensitivity and a wide dynamic range can be provided.

It is a top view of the switch of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention, and is a figure which shows a counter electrode. It is sectional drawing which follows the II-II line | wire of the switch of the 1st example in 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the II-II line of the switch of the 2nd example in 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention shown in FIG. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the load and resistance value of the switch of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a top view of the switch of 2nd Embodiment which concerns on this invention, and is a figure which shows a counter electrode transparently.

<First Embodiment>
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a switch 1 according to the present embodiment, and shows an aspect of a counter electrode that is transmitted through an upper structure. FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of the switch of the first example in the first embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of the switch of the second example in the first embodiment shown in FIG. The switch of the first example shown in FIG. 2A is an example in which the upper electrode 13 is provided on the main surface of the first insulating substrate 11, and the switch of the second example shown in FIG. It is an example provided on the convex portion of the first support member 20.

  The switch 1 shown in FIG. 2A includes the first insulating substrate 11 as the first contact member and the second insulating substrate as the second contact member, according to the first embodiment of the present invention. . As shown to FIG. 2A, the 1st insulating base material 11 and the 2nd insulating base material 12 in this example are laminated | stacked in the state (interposed state) which interposed the spacer 16 between them. That is, the 2nd insulating base material 12 is arrange | positioned as a lowermost layer. The second insulating substrate 12 is arranged with the main surface on which the lower electrode 14 is formed facing upward, and a spacer 16 is laminated thereon. On the spacer 16, the first insulating substrate 11 is laminated with the main surface on which the upper electrode 13 is formed facing down. The first insulating substrate 11 is the uppermost layer. In this laminated state, the upper electrode 13 and the lower electrode 14 face each other through the opening 17 of the spacer 16. The upper electrode 13 moves up and down in the space formed by the opening 17 of the spacer 16 according to the pressing force received from the other main surface of the first insulating substrate 11 (main surface where the upper electrode 13 is not formed). Move to (in the figure) and contact or separate from the lower electrode 14. Of course, the lower electrode 14 moves up and down in the space formed by the opening 17 of the spacer 16 according to the pressing force received from the other main surface of the second insulating substrate 12 (main surface where the lower electrode is not formed). It is also possible to move to (in the figure) and contact or separate the upper electrode 13.

  The 1st insulating base material 11 and the 2nd insulating base material 12 of this embodiment are insulating films which have flexibility. As materials for the first insulating substrate 11 and the second insulating substrate 12, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyimide resin (PI), polyetherimide resin (PEI), etc. are used. it can.

  Between the first insulating base material 11 and the second insulating base material 12, a spacer 16 in which an opening 17 is formed is disposed. The spacer 16 is bonded to the first insulating base material 11 and the second insulating base material 12 through the adhesive layers 16A and 16B. As a material for the spacer 16, for example, an insulating material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyimide resin (PI), or polyetherimide resin (PEI) can be used.

  Moreover, the switch 1 of this embodiment is provided with the sheet | seat member 19 provided with the presser 18 pressed at the time of turning on / off operation of the switch 1. FIG. The pressing element 18 is arranged so as to face the center side of the opening 17, and on the back surface side in the region where the upper electrode 13 and the lower electrode 14 of the first or second insulating base material 11, 12 are provided at the time of input. Abut and press these. The pressing element 18 of the present embodiment is a convex portion formed at a predetermined position of the sheet member 19. The pressing element 18 in the present embodiment has a function of indicating a position to be pressed when the switch 1 is operated. Since the pressing element 18 is disposed so as to face the center side of the opening 17, a load can be applied to the center of the opening 17 via the pressing element 18. The sheet member 19 with the presser 18 formed thereon is an embossing process or the like on a sheet of an insulating material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyimide resin (PI), or polyetherimide resin (PEI). It can obtain by giving the general convex part formation process of these. The sheet member 19 can be omitted by providing an exterior member such as a switch casing.

An example of the switch 1 shown in FIG. 2B will be described. The switch 1 shown in FIG. 2B includes the first support member 20 as a first contact member and the second insulating substrate 12 as a second contact member, according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the second insulating substrate 12 shown in FIG. 2B is common to the configuration of the second insulating substrate 12 shown in FIG. 2A. As shown in FIG. 2B, the first support member 20 and the second insulating substrate 12 are stacked with a spacer 16 interposed therebetween. The 2nd insulating base material 12 is arrange | positioned as a lowermost layer. The second insulating substrate 12 is disposed with the main surface on which the lower electrode 14 is formed facing upward, and a spacer 16 is laminated thereon.
The first support member 20 is disposed on the spacer 16, that is, the uppermost layer. The first support member 20 includes a convex portion that is convex on the lower side (lower electrode 14 side). As long as it is convex toward the lower electrode, the shape of the convex portion is not particularly limited, and may be stepped, truncated cone, truncated pyramid, hemispherical Good. The convex portion may be formed of a flat surface or a curved surface. The upper electrode 13 can be formed on the surface of the convex portion of the first support member 20. The shape of the upper electrode 13 formed on the surface of the convex portion can be a shape depending on the shape of the convex portion. That is, the upper electrode 13 of this example has a convex shape on the lower side (lower electrode 14 side).

  The first support member 20 of the present embodiment includes a convex portion formed of a curved surface formed to have the highest height at a position corresponding to the center (O) of the opening in FIG. When the first support member 20 includes a convex portion and the upper electrode 13 is formed on the surface thereof, the upper electrode 13 itself has a shape having a convex curved surface. The time-dependent increase in the contact area when the upper electrode 13 contacts the lower electrode 14 becomes moderate. It can suppress that the contact area when the upper electrode 13 contacts the lower electrode 14 changes rapidly. Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 2A, if the upper electrode 13 has a flat shape, it may not be possible to follow changes in the shape and position of the presser 18 to which a load is applied. In such a case, the contact area between the upper electrode 13 and the lower electrode 14 may increase rapidly, and the resistance value between the upper electrode 13 and the lower electrode 14 may greatly decrease. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2B, by forming the upper electrode 13 on the surface of the curved surface of the convex portion included in the first support member 20, the contact area between the upper electrode 13 and the lower electrode 14 when the switch is pressed. The changes over time can be moderated. That is, the load received by the upper electrode 13 when the switch is pressed and the change in the resistance value between the upper electrode 13 and the lower electrode 14 can be moderated. As a result, the relationship between the load of the switch and the resistance value can be made linear (continuous). Moreover, the convex part fulfill | performs the function of the presser 18 of a 1st example by comprising the convex part of the 1st support member 20 by a curved surface. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide the pressing element 18 unlike the 1st example shown to FIG. 2A. As a result, the thickness of the portion other than the switch 1 as well as the portion of the switch 1 can be reduced. As a result, the thickness of the entire switch 1 can be reduced.

  The convex portion of the first support member 20 is supported by the leg portion 21. The convex portion and the leg portion 21 are formed integrally with the first support member 20. The leg portion 21 of the first support member 20 is fixed to the spacer 16 via the adhesive layer 16A. The leg portion 21 is elastic and maintains the position of the convex portion in the height direction. When the first support member 20 receives a pressing force toward the second insulating substrate 12, the convex portion moves toward the lower electrode 14, but when the pressing force is released, the convex portion is moved to the lower electrode 14. It moves from the side to the upper electrode 13 side. An upper electrode 13 is formed on the surface of the convex portion (lower electrode 14 side). In this laminated state, the upper electrode 13 and the lower electrode 14 face each other through the opening 17 of the spacer 16. The upper electrode 13 moves vertically in the space formed by the opening 17 of the spacer 16 in accordance with the pressing force received from the other main surface of the first support member 20 (the main surface where the upper electrode 13 is not formed). And the lower electrode 14 is contacted or separated.

The convex portion of the first support member 20 is arranged such that the top portion (the highest portion) faces the center of the opening 17. An upper electrode 13 is formed on the top surface of the convex portion. When the convex portion is pressed toward the second insulating base, the upper electrode 13 and the lower electrode 14 come into contact with each other. When the pressing force applied to the convex portion is released, the upper electrode 13 is separated from the lower electrode. By placing the top of the convex portion of the first support member 20, that is, the upper electrode 13 so as to face the center of the opening 17, a load can be applied to the center of the opening 17 via the first support member 20. .
Further, the switch 1 of the present embodiment includes a sheet member 19. For example, since the switch 1 such as a game controller is arranged inside a plastic exterior member, in such a case, the sheet member 19 can be omitted. In this example, the first support member 20 may be configured such that the first support member 20 functions as the sheet member 19 and the presser 18. In this case, since the sheet member 19 can be omitted, the thickness of the switch 1 can be reduced. Further, in the second example shown in FIG. 2B, since the first insulating base material 11 provided in the first example shown in FIG. 2A is not provided, the thickness of the part other than the switch 1 as well as the part of the switch 1 is also increased. Can be thin. As a result, the thickness of the entire switch 1 can be reduced. The thickness of the switch 1 can be reduced.

  The first support member 20 of this embodiment has flexibility. The first support member 20 can be made of, for example, silicone resin, urethane resin, acrylic resin, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyimide resin (PI), or polyetherimide resin (PEI). . The first support member 20 can be obtained by subjecting a sheet of these insulating materials to a general convex forming process such as press molding.

  In the present embodiment, the upper electrode 13 is configured as an electrode having a size corresponding to the opening area of the opening 17 of the spacer 16. The upper electrode 13 of this embodiment is a single electrode. On the other hand, the lower electrode 14 of the present embodiment includes counter electrodes 141 and 142 that are insulated from each other. The counter electrodes 141 and 142 are arranged in a pair at left and right or upper and lower opposing positions. One pair of counter electrodes 141 includes first to fourth branch electrodes 141B1 to 141B4 extending to the other counter electrode 142, and the other pair of counter electrodes 142 also extends to the one counter electrode 141. The first to fourth branch electrodes 142B1 to 142B4 are present. The first to fourth branch electrodes 141B1 to 141B4 of one counter electrode 141 and the first to fourth branch electrodes 142B1 to 142B4 of the other counter electrode 142 are alternately arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first branch electrode 141 </ b> B <b> 1 of one counter electrode 141 and the first branch electrode 142 </ b> B <b> 1 of the other counter electrode 142 are arranged in parallel at the center of the opening 17. A second branch electrode 141B2 of another counter electrode 141 or a second branch electrode 142B2 of the counter electrode 142 is disposed outside the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1 of one counter electrode 141 and 142. The position outside the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1 means that the distance from the center of the opening 17 toward the edge of the opening 17 is from the center of the opening 17 (indicated by O in FIG. 1) to the first branch electrode 141B1. , 142B1 is a position longer than the distance. In addition, third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3 and fourth branch electrodes 141B4 and 142B4 provided therein are arranged in parallel outside the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1 of the counter electrodes 141 and 142, respectively. In this example, the counter electrodes 141 and 142 are provided only on the lower electrode 14. However, the counter electrodes 141 and 142 may be provided on both the upper electrode 13 and the lower electrode 14. 141 and 142 may be provided.

  Hereinafter, based on FIG.1 and FIG.2, the specific aspect of a pair of counter electrode 141,142 of this embodiment is demonstrated.

  One counter electrode 141 includes a first branch electrode 141 </ b> B <b> 1 that extends toward another counter electrode 142 that forms a pair with one counter electrode. The first branch electrode 141B1 includes a central region 141B1a located at the center of the opening 17 of the spacer 16. The central region 141B1a is disposed at a position S1 to which a pressing force for an on operation for bringing the upper electrode 13 and the lower electrode 14 into contact is first applied. The other counter electrode 142 also includes a first branch electrode 142B1 extending toward another counter electrode 141 that forms a pair with the other counter electrode. Similarly, the first branch electrode 142B1 includes a central region 142B1a located at the center of the opening 17 of the spacer 16. The central region 142B1a is also disposed at a position S1 where a pressing force for an on operation for bringing the upper electrode 13 and the lower electrode 14 into contact is first applied. The first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1 may have a linear shape, or may have a shape having a bent portion or a non-linear shape such as a curve.

In addition to the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1, the counter electrodes 141 and 142 of the switch 1 of this embodiment include second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 and third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3, which will be described later. In the present embodiment, the distance D1 from the representative position O indicating the central region (hereinafter also referred to as the central region O) to the open ends 141B1t, 142B1t of the first branch electrodes 141B1, 142B1, and the second branch electrode from the central region O. The distance D2 from the open ends 141B2t and 142B2t of 141B2 and 142B2 to the distance D3 from the central region O to the open ends 141B3t and 142B3t of the third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3 are different distances. That is, in this embodiment, the pattern and layout of each branch electrode are determined so that the distance from the central region O that first receives the pressing force to the open end of each branch electrode is different. Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the pattern of each branch electrode is determined so that distance D3 <distance D2 <distance D1. Thereby, the open end of the branch electrode is positioned closer to the central region O as the branch electrode comes later in contact with the upper electrode 13 after the switch 1 is pressed. Thereby, the spread of the contact area on the open end side can be suppressed as the number of branch electrodes in contact with the upper electrode 13 increases.
Incidentally, when the pressing force is increased and a plurality of branch electrodes are in contact with the upper electrode 13 at the same time, the increase in the contact area increases and the change in the resistance value increases. On the other hand, in this embodiment, when the pressing force is increased, the branch electrodes come into contact with the upper electrode 13 one by one, so that the resistance value change between the upper electrode 13 and the lower electrode 14 is changed. Multi-stage and small. Although not particularly limited, the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1 and the second branch electrodes are formed so that the counter electrodes 141 and 142 of the lower electrode 14 of the present embodiment have an asymmetric pattern with respect to the X axis shown in FIG. 141B2 and 142B2 and third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3 are formed. Thereby, the said effect can be acquired.

  One counter electrode 141 includes a second branch electrode 141B2. The second branch electrode 141B2 has a parallel region 141B2a provided along the central region 142B1a of the first branch electrode 142B1 of another counter electrode 142. Similarly, the other counter electrode 142 includes a first branch electrode 142B2. The second branch electrode 142B2 has a parallel region 142B2a provided along the central region 141B1a of the first branch electrode 141B1 of another counter electrode 141. The parallel regions 141B2a and 142B2a are portions of the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 that are arranged next to the central regions 141B1a and 142B1a of the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1 in parallel (X direction in the drawing). The shape and length of the parallel regions 141B2a and 142B2a are not particularly limited. The parallel regions 141B2a and 142B2a of the present embodiment have a linear shape parallel to the central regions 141B1a and 142B1a.

In the present embodiment, the distance from the central region O to the open ends 141B2t and 142B2t of the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 is greater than the distance from the central region O to the open ends 141B1t and 142B1t of the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1. The first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1 and the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 are configured so as to be shorter. Here, the distance from the central region O to the open ends 141B2t and 142B2t of the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 may be the shortest distance from the point O indicating the central region to the open ends 141B2t and 142B2t. It is good also as the distance from the point O which shows this to the center point of the edge of open end part 141B2t, 142B2t. The same applies to the distance from the central region O to the open ends 141B1t and 142B1t of the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1.
In the switch 1 of the present embodiment, after the upper electrode 13 is in contact with the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1, and further in contact with the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2, the upper electrode 13 is the first branch electrode 141B1. 142B1 and the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 are in contact with each other. In the present embodiment, the contact area between the upper electrode 13 and the lower electrode 14 is such that the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1 and the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 have the same width. Spreads twice as fast as when touching 13. In the present embodiment, the open ends 141B2t and 142B2t of the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 are located closer to the central region O than the open ends 141B1t and 142B1t of the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1. When reaching the open ends 141B2t and 142B2t, the contact area on the open end side of the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 can be prevented from further widening. As a result, the resistance value can be smoothly lowered.

  In addition, the circuit length of the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 of the present embodiment is configured to be longer than the circuit length of the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1 on the center side. That is, the resistance values of the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 are higher than the resistance values of the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1 on the center side.

  A specific configuration in which the circuit length of the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 is longer than the circuit length of the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1 is not particularly limited. The second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 of the present embodiment have crank regions 141B2b and 142B2b that intersect at a predetermined angle with respect to the direction in which the parallel regions 141B2a and 142B2a extend and continue to the parallel regions 141B2a and 142B2a. The crank regions 141B2b and 142B2b extend the circuit length. The mode of the crank regions 141B2b and 142B2b is not particularly limited, but in the example shown in FIG. 1, the connection point with the region connected to the wiring 20 that outputs the switch on / off signal to the outside is the end, and the + X direction from this end To the parallel regions 141B2a and 142B2a. The crank regions 141B2b and 142B2b shown in FIG. 1 intersect the parallel regions 141B2a and 142B2a at a right angle, but the intersecting angle and the number of bendings of the crank regions 141B2b and 142B2b are not particularly limited. The crank regions 141B2b and 142B2b are bent electrode portions, key-shaped electrode portions, and hook-shaped electrode portions.

  In this way, the crank regions 141B2b and 142B2b are provided in the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2, and the circuit length is made longer than the circuit length of the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1, so that even if the circuit length is extended, it is opposed. The area occupied by the electrodes 141 and 142 can be prevented from increasing. Thereby, even if a part of circuit length is extended, downsizing of the switch 1 is not hindered.

  Incidentally, in the present embodiment, when a load is applied, the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1 are first conductive, and the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 are second conductive. Specifically, when the center of the switch 1, that is, the center (O) of the opening 17 is pressed at the start of the operation of the switch 1, a load is applied to the circular region indicated by S1 shown in FIG. At this time, first, the central regions 141B1a and 142B1a of the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1 first come into contact with the upper electrode 13, and then the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1 are brought into conduction. Subsequently, as the load increases, the load is applied to the circular region indicated by S2 in FIG. Then, the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 including the parallel regions 141B2a and 142B2a provided adjacent to the central regions 141B1a and 142B1a come into contact with the upper electrode 13 to be conductive.

  In a switch having a general comb-like electrode, the resistance value is greatly reduced when the first one on the center side is conductive and the second one adjacent thereto is conductive. On the other hand, in the switch 1 of the present embodiment, the circuit length of the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 that are conducted next to the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1 is increased, and the second branch electrode 141B2 having a relatively high resistance value. , 142B2 are provided next to the first branch electrodes 141B1, 142B1, so that when the application of a load is started, the resistance value can be prevented from greatly decreasing. As a result, a switch with high sensitivity and a wide dynamic range can be provided.

  Although not particularly limited, it is preferable to make the circuit width of the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 narrower than the circuit width of the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1. The circuit width of the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 that are conducted next to the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1 is narrowed, and the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 having a relatively high resistance value are connected to the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1. Since it is provided side by side, when the application of a load is started, it can suppress more that a resistance value falls large.

  Each counter electrode 141, 142 in the switch 1 of the present embodiment includes high resistance electrodes 141A, 142A with relatively high resistance values and low resistance electrodes 141B, 142B with relatively low resistance values, and a branch electrode 141B1. ˜141B4, 142B1 to 142B4 are constituted by high resistance electrodes 141B such as carbon electrodes, and are connected to low resistance electrodes 141A and 142A such as silver electrodes. Although not particularly limited, the circuit length of each of the branch electrodes 141B1 to 141B4, 142B1 to 142B4 is a contact point that contacts the upper electrode 13 at the center (0) of the opening 17 from the connection end to the low resistance electrodes 141A and 142A. Thus, the branch electrodes 141B1 to 141B4 and 142B1 to 142B4 have a length up to the contact point at which the pressing force for contacting the upper electrode 13 and the lower electrode 14 (141B1 to 141B4, 142B1 to 142B4) is first applied. In addition, the low resistance electrodes 141B and 142B having relatively low resistance values are not formed, and the branch electrodes 141B1 to 141B4 and 142B1 to 142B4 configured by the high resistance electrodes 141B such as carbon electrodes are used as switch on / off signals. When directly connected to the wiring 20 to be sent to the outside, the circuit length of the branch electrodes 141B1 to 141B4, 142B1 to 142B4 is the same as that of the upper electrode 13 at the center (0) of the opening 17 from the connection end to the wiring 20. The contact point where the branch electrodes 141B1 to 141B4, 142B1 to 142B4 are in contact with each other, and the pressing force for bringing the upper electrode 13 and the lower electrode 14 (141B1 to 141B4, 142B1 to 142B4) into contact with each other in the branch electrodes 141B1 to 141B4, 142B1 to 142B4 Is the length to the first contact point applied.

  In addition, one counter electrode 141 in the switch 1 of the present embodiment is provided next to the first branch electrode 141B1 included in one counter electrode 141, and a third branch electrode 141B3 extending to the other counter electrode 142 side is provided. Prepare. Similarly, the other counter electrode 142 includes a third branch electrode 142B3 provided next to the first branch electrode 142B1 included in the counter electrode 142 and extending toward the one counter electrode 141. The circuit lengths of the third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3 are shorter than the circuit lengths of the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1. Naturally, the circuit length of the third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3 is shorter than the circuit length of the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2. That is, the resistance values of the third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3 are lower than the resistance values of the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1 and the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2.

By the way, in the conventional comb-tooth-shaped electrode, the comb teeth arranged in parallel sequentially conduct from the contact center as the applied load increases, but the amount of decrease in resistance value when each comb-tooth is conducting is not constant. Therefore, there is a problem that the relationship between the load and the resistance value is not linear (continuous).
The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a switch in which the relationship between the load and the resistance value is linear (continuous).
According to the present invention, the first branch electrode that is located in the center of the opening of the spacer and includes a central region to which a pressing force that first contacts the upper electrode and the lower electrode is applied, and the opening more than the first branch electrode. In a switch having a plurality of second and third branch electrodes provided in an outer position separated from the center of the part, the circuit length of the third branch electrode whose distance from the center region is farther than the second branch electrode, Since it is shorter than the second branch electrode, the relationship between the load and the resistance value can be made linear (continuous). As a result, it is possible to provide a switch with high sensitivity, stable detection accuracy, and a wide dynamic range.

  As the applied load further increases, the load is applied to the circular region indicated by S3 in FIG. At this timing, the third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3 are in contact with the upper electrode 13. In the present embodiment, the third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3 are provided from the viewpoint of preventing the resistance value from changing significantly after maintaining the resistance value high by providing the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2. By providing the third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3, the resistance value according to the load changes in multiple stages, and the resistance value against the load can be changed linearly (continuously). That is, it is possible to keep the change of the resistance value according to the load constant and to prevent the resistance value from changing greatly depending on the range of the applied load. From the viewpoint that the functions of the third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3 make the change of the resistance value according to the load multistage, the third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3 may be adjacent to at least one branch electrode. That is, another branch electrode may exist between the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1 and the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2.

  In the present embodiment, the distance D3 from the central region O to the open ends 141B3t, 142B3t of the third branch electrodes 141B3, 142B3 is the distance from the central region O to the open ends 141B1t, 142B1t of the first branch electrodes 141B1, 142B1. The distance D3 from the central region O to the open ends 141B3t and 142B3t of the third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3 is shorter than D1 and from the central region O to the open ends 141B2t and 142B2t of the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 Each of the branch electrodes 141 and 142 is configured to be shorter than the distance D2. That is, in the present embodiment, the open ends 141B3t and 142B3t of the third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3 are disposed at positions closest to the central region O as compared with the other open ends 141B1t, 142B1t, 141B2t, and 142B2t. Thus, each branch electrode 141, 142 is configured.

  In the switch 1 of this embodiment, after the upper electrode 13 contacts the open ends 141B3t and 142B3t of the third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3, the contact between the upper electrode 13 and the third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3 is unidirectional. Only spread. That is, after the contact point between the upper electrode 13 and the lower electrode 14 reaches the open end portions 141B3t and 142B3t, the contact area on the open end portions 141B3t and 142B3t side can be prevented from further widening. As a result, the resistance value can be smoothly lowered.

  In the present embodiment, in one counter electrode 141 that constitutes the pair of counter electrodes 141 and 142, the open end 141B2t connected to the parallel region 141B2a of the second branch electrode 141B2 is the third branch electrode 142B3 in the other counter electrode 142. A pair of counter electrodes 141 and 142 are arranged so as to face the open end 142B3t. As shown in FIG. 1, the open end 141B2t of the second branch electrode 141B2 whose circuit length is extended in one counter electrode 141 (not connected to the other) has a short circuit length in the other counter electrode 142. The third branch electrode 142B3 is arranged so as to face the open end 142B3t that is open (not connected to the other). The second branch electrode 142B2 of the other counter electrode 142 and the third branch electrode 141B3 of the one counter electrode 141 are similarly arranged.

  As described above, the third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3 having a short circuit length and the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 having an extended circuit length are arranged in a line (arranged so that the positions in the y direction are common). Thus, it is not necessary to increase the electrode area in order to add the third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3 having a short circuit length. That is, it is not necessary to extend the wiring board in the y direction in FIG. Thus, even if the third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3 are provided, the area occupied by the counter electrodes 141 and 142 is not increased. Thereby, even if the number of branch electrodes is increased, the size of the switch 1 is not hindered without increasing the number of electrode rows.

  As the applied load further increases, the load is applied to the circular region indicated by S4 in FIG. At this stage, the load received by the switch 1 is large and approaches the pressing point of the switch 1. At this timing, the fourth branch electrodes 141B4 and 142B4 are in contact with the upper electrode 13.

  In the present embodiment, one counter electrode 141 includes a fourth branch electrode 141B4 provided next to the third branch electrode 141B3 provided in the counter electrode 141 and extending toward the other counter electrode 142 side. Similarly, the other counter electrode 142 includes a fourth branch electrode 141B4 that is provided next to the third branch electrode 142B3 included in the counter electrode 142 and extends toward the one counter electrode 142. The circuit width W1 (see FIG. 1) of the fourth branch electrodes 141B4 and 142B4 is configured wider than the width W2 (see FIG. 1) of the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1. At this time, the width W1 (see FIG. 1) of the fourth branch electrodes 141B4 and 142B4 may be wider than the widths of the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 and / or the third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3. .

  In a general switch, a change in resistance value is small in the vicinity of a pressing point where a large load is applied. In the present embodiment, relatively wide fourth branch electrodes 141B4 and 142B4 are provided from the viewpoint of enlarging a change in the resistance value in the vicinity of the pressing point. Thus, by increasing the change amount of the resistance value with respect to the load even in the vicinity of the pressing point, the minimum resistance value that can be detected when the maximum load of the load used as the switch 1 is applied can be adjusted. As a result, the load range (dynamic range) that can be used as a switch can be expanded.

  Although not particularly limited, the two counter electrodes 141 and 142 are preferably arranged point-symmetrically with the center of the opening 17 (Px = 0 and Py = 0) as the center of symmetry. The counter electrodes 141 and 142 shown in FIG. 1 are point-symmetrical with (Px = 0 and Py = 0) as the symmetry center.

The pressing element 18 that is pressed when the switch 1 is turned on / off presses the upper electrode 13 against the lower electrode 14. The carbon electrode 13B of the upper electrode 13 is in contact with the central regions 141B1a and 142B1a of the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1 among the two opposing electrodes 141 and 142 of the lower electrode 14 that are insulated from each other. Specifically, the carbon electrode 13 </ b> B of the upper electrode 13 first comes into contact with the central regions 141 </ b> B <b> 1 a and 142 </ b> B <b> 1 a provided at the center of the opening 17 of the spacer 16 among the counter electrodes 141 and 142. The pressing element 18 applies a load to the center of the opening 17 (the position indicated by zero in FIG. 1), so that the central regions 141B1a and 142B1a of the counter electrodes 141 and 142 arranged with respect to the center of the opening 17 are used. Both and the upper electrode 13 are brought into contact with each other at the same time so that the respective contact areas are the same.
As the load increases, the pressing surface spreads from the center of the opening 17 to the outside. When the pressing surface spreads outward, the contact surface between the upper electrode 13 and the lower electrode 14 also spreads outward.

  By applying the counter electrodes 141 and 142 symmetrically with respect to the center of the opening 17 as in the present embodiment, a substantially equal load is applied to the two counter electrodes 141 and 142 when the switch 1 is pressed. The contact surfaces of the two counter electrodes 141 and 142 and the upper electrode 13 can be expanded approximately equally. By making the contact surfaces of each of the two counter electrodes 141 and 142 equal to the upper electrode 13, it becomes easier to control the resistance value against the load, and the operation performance of the switch 1 can be stabilized. In particular, it is possible to accurately control the resistance values of the branch electrodes 141B1 to 141B4 and 142B1 to 142B4 described above. In this embodiment, an example in which the lower electrode 14 includes the counter electrodes 141 and 142 will be described. However, the upper electrode 13 may be included in the counter electrode, or both the upper electrode 13 and the lower electrode 14 may be included. You may have a counter electrode.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the counter electrodes 141 and 142 of the lower electrode 14 of the present embodiment are low resistance electrodes 141A and 142A (hereinafter referred to as silver) formed of a material having a relatively low resistance such as a metal including silver and gold. Electrodes 141A and 142A) and high resistance electrodes 141B and 142B (hereinafter also referred to as carbon electrodes 141B and 142B) formed of a material having a relatively high resistance such as carbon. The low resistance electrode 13 </ b> A in the present embodiment is formed on one main surface of the first insulating substrate 11. The high resistance electrode 13B in the present embodiment is formed so as to cover the previously formed low resistance electrode 13A. Similarly, the low resistance electrodes 141A and 142A are formed in different regions on one main surface of the second insulating substrate 12, and the high resistance electrodes 141B and 142B are formed so as to cover the low resistance electrodes 141A and 142A. The A part of the low resistance electrodes 141A and 142A is formed in a lower layer of a partial region of the high resistance electrodes 141B and 142B.

  High resistance electrodes 141B and 142B including first to fourth branch electrodes 141B1 to 141B4 and 142B1 to 142B4 are mainly formed in a region facing the opening 17 of the spacer 16, and the outer side of the opening 17 of the spacer 16 is formed. Low resistance electrodes 141 </ b> A and 141 </ b> B are formed in the region (lamination region of the first insulating base material 11 and the second insulating base material 12).

  The low-resistance electrodes 13A, 141A, and 142A of the present embodiment are formed by using a low-resistance conductive paste containing a metal paste such as silver, gold, or copper as one of the first insulating base material 11 and the second insulating base material 12. It is formed by printing on the surface and curing it. Although not particularly limited, a resist layer may be formed on part or all of the surfaces of the low resistance electrodes 13A, 141A, and 142A. The high resistance electrodes 13B, 141B, and 142B of the present embodiment are formed by printing a relatively high resistance conductive paste such as a carbon paste so as to cover the low resistance electrodes 131, 141A, and 142A, and curing it. Is done. The high resistance electrodes 13B, 141B, and 142B of the present embodiment may be formed by printing pressure-sensitive ink in which conductive beads are dispersed in ink, or beads that are rich in elasticity, such as nylon, in the conductive ink. A dispersed conductive paste may be printed and formed. Note that the printing method is not particularly limited, and methods such as a screen printing method, a gravure offset printing method, and an ink jet method can be used.

  In the present embodiment, the shape of the upper electrode and the shape of the entire lower electrode can be different. The shape of each counter electrode of the lower electrode can be different. By adjusting the shapes of the upper electrode and the lower electrode, the resistance value against the load can be controlled.

  Although not particularly limited, the low resistance electrodes 141 </ b> A and 142 </ b> A of the counter electrodes 141 and 142 are preferably provided on the outer peripheral side of the opening 17 of the spacer 16. That is, the low resistance electrodes 141 </ b> A and 142 </ b> A are arranged so as not to exist inside the opening 17 of the spacer 16. Thus, by arranging the low resistance electrodes 141A and 142A outside the inner edge of the opening 17 of the spacer 16, the upper electrode 13 and the low resistance electrodes 141A and 142A do not conduct when a large load is applied. Therefore, the resistance value in the vicinity of the pressing point can be kept high. Thereby, the change amount of the resistance value can be maintained at a predetermined value or more even in the vicinity of the pressing point. Of course, the low resistance electrodes 141 </ b> A and 142 </ b> A may partially exist inside the opening 17 of the spacer 16. However, even in this case, it is preferable that a part of the low resistance electrodes 141A and 142A exist outside a concentric circle having a diameter of 80% of the diameter of the opening 17. That is, it is preferable not to provide the low resistance electrodes 141A and 142A within a concentric circle having a diameter of 80% of the diameter of the opening 17. The load applied to the low resistance electrodes 141A and 142A can be adjusted according to the relationship with the size of the opening 17 of the spacer 16, the thickness of the spacer 16, the material of the spacer 16, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, it is preferable that at least a part of the low resistance electrodes 141A and 142A is formed in a lower layer of a partial region of the fourth branch electrodes 141B4 and 142B4. The fourth branch electrodes 141B4 and 142B4 are electrically connected to the upper electrode 13 in the vicinity of the pressing point where the load applied to the switch 1 approaches the saturation amount. In the vicinity of the cut-off point, the change in resistance value is small, so it may not be used as a switch. In the present embodiment, by arranging a part of the low resistance electrodes 141A and 142A, which are silver electrodes, on the lower layer side of a partial region of the fourth branch electrodes 141B4 and 142B4 that are conductive near the pressing point, even in the vicinity of the pressing point. The change in resistance value can be increased. As a result, the range (dynamic range) of the load that can be used as the switch 1 can be expanded.

Hereinafter, the operation and action of the switch 1 of the present embodiment will be described.
Before a load is applied to the presser 18, the upper electrode 13 and the lower electrode 14 (opposing electrodes 141, 142) are insulated, and no input signal is acquired. When a load is applied to the pressing element 18, the upper electrode 13 moves downward (second insulating substrate 12 side) through the space formed by the opening 17 of the spacer 16. The upper electrode 13 is in contact with the central regions 141B1a and 142B1a of the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1 in the S1 region of the counter electrode 141 of the lower electrode 14 shown in FIG. As a result of this contact, the insulated upper electrode 13 is short-circuited with the counter electrodes 141 and 142, whereby an input signal is acquired.

  When the load applied to the presser 18 increases, the upper electrode 13 contacts the parallel regions 141B2a and 142B2a of the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 in the S2 region of the counter electrodes 141 and 142 of the lower electrode 14 shown in FIG. .

  In a general comb-like switch, when a load starts to be applied and conduction with a second comb-tooth electrode from the center is started, the resistance value is greatly reduced. This significant decrease in resistance due to contact with the second comb electrode is one of the factors that reduce the sensitivity of the switch and narrow the dynamic range.

  On the other hand, in the switch 1 of the present embodiment, the second branch having the second parallel regions 141B2a and 142B2a adjacent to the central regions 141B1a and 142B1a of the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1 that are first conductive after the load is applied. Electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 are disposed. The circuit lengths of the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 are configured to be longer than the circuit lengths of the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1, and the resistance value when the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 are conducted is increased. Thereby, the fall of resistance value when 2nd branch electrode 141B2, 142B2 conduct | electrically_connects 2nd can be suppressed.

  Subsequently, when the load applied to the presser 18 further increases, the upper electrode 13 comes into contact with the third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3 in the S3 region of the counter electrodes 141 and 142 of the lower electrode 14 shown in FIG. The circuit lengths of the third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3 are shorter than the circuit lengths of the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1 and the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2. The circuit width of the third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3 is narrower than the circuit width of the fourth branch electrodes 141B4 and 142B4. That is, the resistance values of the third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3 are higher than the resistance values of the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2, and lower than the resistance values of the fourth branch electrodes 141B4 and 142B4. By providing such third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3, the resistance value changes in multiple stages, and the resistance value changes linearly (continuously) with respect to the load.

  Finally, when the load applied to the presser 18 increases and the load approaches the saturation amount, the upper electrode 13 is connected to the fourth branch electrode 141B4 in the S4 region of the counter electrodes 141 and 142 of the lower electrode 14 shown in FIG. , 142B4. The circuit width of the fourth branch electrodes 141B4 and 142B4 is wider than the circuit width of the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1, the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2, and the third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3. The resistance values of the fourth branch electrodes 141B4 and 142B4 are set to be relatively low. Thereby, the change of resistance value can be enlarged near the pressing point. In general, the change amount of the resistance value is small in the vicinity of the pressing point, but the switch 1 of the present embodiment changes the resistance value to a level that can be detected even in the vicinity of the pressing point. Thereby, a dynamic range can be expanded.

  Furthermore, by disposing the low resistance electrodes 141A and 142A of the counter electrodes 141 and 142 outside the opening 17 of the spacer 16, the resistance value does not become too low in the vicinity of the cutoff point, and resistance is also provided in the vicinity of the cutoff point. Change of value can be detected. In other words, even when a large load is applied and near the pressing point, a certain resistance value can be exhibited. This also contributes to the expansion of the dynamic range.

  As described above, in the conventional technique, after the load application is started, the decrease rate of the resistance value when the second comb electrode is turned on is large. In this embodiment, the second second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 are turned on. It is possible to suppress a decrease in resistance value when Further, in the conventional technique, the change in the resistance value with respect to the load is irregular, but in this embodiment, the resistance value with respect to the load can be changed linearly (continuously).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the resistance value can be prevented from decreasing at the time of conduction of the second electrode after the start of load application, and the change in resistance value with respect to the load can be made linear (continuous). Therefore, a switch having a wide load range (dynamic range) that can be used as a switch can be provided. That is, it is possible to solve the problem that the resistance value is greatly reduced when the second electrode is conducted. As a result, the switch 1 of this embodiment can provide a highly accurate switch 1 in which the resistance value with respect to the load changes with a linear and constant change amount.

<Example 1>
The first embodiment that further embodies the present invention will be described below. In order to confirm the effect of the present invention, Comparative Example 1 was prepared.

As a switch of Example 1, a switch 1 according to this embodiment shown in FIGS.
Specifically, first, a polyethylene terephthalate sheet having a thickness of 75 [μm] was prepared as the first insulating substrate 11. A silver paste (FA-353 manufactured by Fujikura Chemical Co., Ltd.) is printed on one main surface of the first insulating substrate 11 using a screen printing method, and is dried by heating at a temperature of 150 ° C. for 30 minutes to be cured. Thus, a circular silver film layer (electrode layer) having a thickness of 10 [μm] and a diameter of 3.5 [mm] was formed as the low resistance electrode 13A of the upper electrode 13.

  Next, screen printing was performed using a carbon paste (BTU-500k, Asahi Chemical Research Laboratories) so as to cover the low-resistance electrode 13A, and then heat-dried at a temperature of 150 ° C. for 60 minutes to be cured. As a result, a circular carbon film layer (electrode layer) having a thickness of 10 [μm] and a diameter of 3.8 [mm] was formed as the high resistance electrode 13B of the upper electrode 13.

  Next, a silver film layer (electrode layer) was formed on one main surface of the second insulating substrate 12 under the same conditions as the low resistance electrode 13 </ b> A of the upper electrode 13. This silver film layer (electrode layer) has a thickness of 10 μm as the low resistance electrodes 141A and 142A of the lower electrode 14, a length along the y direction of 1.42 [mm], and one of the portions along the y direction. It intersects with the end, the length along the + x direction (right direction in the figure) is 0.85 [mm], and intersects with one end of the portion along the y direction. A distance (shortest distance) between a pair of the low resistance electrodes 141A and 142A (first silver film layer) arranged to face each other was set to 3.8 [mm]. The low resistance electrodes 141A and 142A of Example 1 are shown in FIG. The low resistance electrodes 141A and 142A are connected to a wiring 20 for sending a switch on / off signal to the outside.

  Next, high resistance electrodes 141B and 142B having a thickness of 10 [μm] covering the low resistance electrodes 141A and 142A were formed under the same conditions as the high resistance electrode 13B of the upper electrode 13.

The high resistance electrodes 141B and 142B of the counter electrodes 141 and 142 of the first embodiment are the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1, the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2, the third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3, and the fourth branch electrode 141B4. 142B4.
The first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1 have central regions 141B1a and 142B1a. The central regions 141B1a and 142B1a are located in the center of the opening 17 of the spacer 16.
The second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 have a relatively longer circuit length than the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1. The second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 have parallel regions 141B2a and 142B2a and crank regions 141B2b and 142B2b. The parallel regions 141B2a and 142B2a are arranged next to the central regions 141B1a and 142B1a.
The third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3 have a relatively shorter circuit length than the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2. The third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3 are provided next to the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1, and extend to the other counter electrode sides 142 and 141 that form a pair with the counter electrodes 141 and 142.
The fourth branch electrodes 141B4, 142B4 are provided next to the third branch electrodes 141B3, 142B3, and extend to the other counter electrodes 142, 141 paired with the counter electrodes 141, 142. The fourth branch electrodes 141B4 and 142B4 are wider than the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1.

  Specifically, the circuit width of the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1 to the third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3 is 0.25 [mm]. The circuit width of the fourth branch electrodes 141B4 and 142B4 was 0.70 [mm]. The pitch between the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1 to the fourth branch electrodes 141B4 and 142B4 was equally 0.25 [mm].

  Next, a double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet (TL-410S-02 manufactured by Lintec Corporation) having an opening 17 having a diameter of 4 [mm] is provided as the spacer 16 and the center of the opening 17 is at the bottom. The counter electrode 141, 142 of the electrode 14 was attached to the second insulating substrate 12 so as to correspond to the divided region. The spacer 16 having a thickness of 100 [μm] is formed of a 50 [μm] polyethylene terephthalate sheet and an adhesive layer having a thickness of 25 [μm] formed on both main surfaces thereof. Then, the first insulating base material 11 was attached to the spacer 16 so that the upper electrode 13 and the lower electrode 14 face each other at the opening 17, thereby manufacturing the switch 1.

<Comparative Example 1>
The comparative example 1 has the same configuration as that of the example 1 except that the high resistance electrodes 141B and 142B of the counter electrodes 141 and 142 are configured in a general comb-tooth shape. A switch 1 'was produced. Specifically, the lower electrode 14 ′ of Comparative Example 1 ′ is formed by forming a low resistance electrode (silver electrode) 14A ′ at the same position as in Example 1 on one main surface of the lower insulating base material. The resistance electrode 14A ′ was covered and a comb-like high resistance electrode (carbon electrode) 14B ′ was formed. One counter electrode 141 of Comparative Example 1 has two linear comb-shaped electrodes extending toward each counter electrode 142, and the other counter electrode 142 includes two linear combs extending toward each counter electrode 141. It has a tooth electrode, and each comb tooth is arranged alternately. The circuit widths of the four comb electrodes were 0.25 [mm], and the pitches were equally 0.25 [mm].

The outlines of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 are summarized in the following table.

  The following load and resistance measurement tests were performed on the switch 1 of Example 1 and the switch 1 ′ of Comparative Example 1 having the above-described configuration.

  Specifically, the upper electrode 13 and the lower electrode 14 of the switch 1 are connected to a pressure detection device, and the actuator speed is 5 [mm] / [min] at an actuator speed of 5 [mm] / [min]. The relationship between the resistance values was measured in a load range of N] to 5 [N]. The switch of Comparative Example 1 was also subjected to the load and resistance measurement test described above under the same conditions as in Example 1.

  The measurement results of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 are shown in FIG.

  According to the results shown in FIG. 3, the resistance value of the switch of Example 1 in the initial stage when the load is applied is about 58 [kΩ], and the resistance value of Example 1 at a load of 1.0 [N] is 48 [K]. kΩ]. Thereafter, as the load increased, the resistance value decreased substantially linearly and was 4.5 [kΩ] when the load was 4 [N].

  On the other hand, the resistance value of the switch of Comparative Example 1 in the initial stage when the load was applied was about 58 [kΩ], and the resistance value of Comparative Example 1 at a load of 1.0 [N] was about 41 [kΩ]. . Thereafter, the resistance value at a load of 3.0 [N] was about 7 [kΩ], and the resistance value at a load of 4.0 [N] was 1 [kΩ]. In Comparative Example 1, the decrease in the resistance value from the start of applying the load until the load reaches 1.0 [N] is about 17 [kΩ], but the load decreases from 1.0 [N] to 2.0 [N]. When changing to N], it decreases by about 27 [kΩ]. In Example 1, the resistance value decreases by about 10 [kΩ] from the start of applying the load until the load reaches 1.0 [N], but the load decreases from 1.0 [N] to 2.0 [N]. When changing to N], it decreased by about 18 [kΩ].

  As described above, in the switch 1 ′ of the comparative example 1, the load increases and the resistance value is greatly reduced when the second comb electrode from the center comes into contact. When the second branch electrode 141B2.142B2 having the long circuit length is in contact with the upper electrode 13, the amount of decrease in the resistance value is small. In the switch 1 according to the first embodiment, the amount of decrease in the resistance value after starting the load application can be reduced. That is, when the resistance value at the point P2 in FIG. 3 estimated to be an inflection point when the load increases and the second second branch electrode 141B2.142B2 comes into contact is compared, the comparative example 1 is 14 [kΩ]. On the other hand, in Example 1, it is 40 [kohm]. This value is a resistance value range that can be changed in the future as the load increases. The larger the value, the higher the sensitivity and the higher the dynamic range.

  In Comparative Example 1, the resistance value greatly decreases when the second comb electrode from the center comes into contact, and therefore, the amount of change in the resistance value accompanying an increase in load must be reduced. Specifically, the amount of change in resistance value from a load of 2.0 [N] to 4.0 [N] is about 11 [kΩ]. On the other hand, in Example 1, the amount of change in resistance value from the load 2.0 [N] to 4.0 [N] after the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 that are the second from the center contact is about 27. [kΩ]. As described above, the switch 1 according to the first embodiment has a small decrease in the resistance value after the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 that are in contact with the second from the center are small, so that a large amount of change in the resistance value due to an increase in load is secured. be able to.

  In the switch 1 of the present embodiment, after the second branch electrode 141B2.142B2 is in contact with the upper electrode 13, the third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3 are in contact with the upper electrode 13. The inflection point corresponding to the timing at which the third branch electrode 141B3.142B3 contacts the upper electrode 13 is P3 in FIG. In the first embodiment, by providing the third branch electrode 141B3.142B3 having a relatively short circuit length next to the second branch electrode 141B2.142B2, the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2, the fourth branch electrodes 141B4 and 142B4, It is possible to control the amount of change in the resistance value by changing the resistance value with respect to the load. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 3, the resistance value with respect to the load of the switch 1 of Example 1 shows the change approximated to the straight line shown with the broken line in the figure.

  Next, the resistance value when the applied load increases and the load is 3.0 [N] to 4 [N] is examined. As shown in FIG. 3, the amount of change in the resistance value of the switch 1 ′ of Comparative Example 1 is about 5 [kΩ] in the load range of 3.0 [N] to 4 [N]. On the other hand, in the load range of 3.0 [N] to 4 [N], the amount of change in the resistance value of Example 1 is about 12 [kΩ]. In the switch 1 of the first embodiment, after the third branch electrode 141B3.142B3 is in contact with the upper electrode 13, the fourth branch electrodes 141B4 and 142B4 are in contact with the upper electrode 13. The inflection point corresponding to the timing at which the fourth branch electrodes 141B4 and 142B4 contact the upper electrode 13 is P4 in FIG. In the first embodiment, the resistance value is changed even when the load is large by relatively widening the circuit width of the fourth branch electrodes 141B4 and 142B4 that are conductive when the applied load becomes large. Can do. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 3, the resistance value with respect to the load of the switch 1 of Example 1 shows a predetermined amount of change even when the load is in the vicinity of 4 [N]. As a result, the dynamic range that can be used as a switch could be expanded.

  As described above, the switch 1 according to the first embodiment has higher sensitivity than the switch according to the first comparative example having the conventional structure, and the change in the resistance value with respect to the load is constant and shows a linear (continuous) relationship. Was confirmed. It was also confirmed that the load range (dynamic range) that can be used as a switch was wide.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the switch 1 according to the second embodiment, and is a diagram showing a configuration of the counter electrode through the upper configuration. Since the cross section along the X direction of the first branch electrode 142B5 of the switch 1 is the same as that in FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is used in this embodiment.

  The switch 1 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is disposed next to the first branch electrodes 141B5 and 142B5 including the central regions 141B5a and 142B5a located at the center of the opening 17 of the spacer 16, and the central regions 141B5a and 141B5a. Second branch electrodes 141B6 and 142B6 having parallel regions 141B6a and 142B6a and crank regions 141B6b and 142B6b are provided. The circuit length of the second branch electrodes 141B6 and 142B6 is longer than the circuit length of the first branch electrodes 141B5 and 142B5.

  The switch 1 of the present embodiment is provided next to the first branch electrodes 141B5 and 142B5, and extends to the other counter electrode sides 142 and 141 that form a pair with the counter electrodes 141 and 142. 142B7. The circuit lengths of the third branch electrodes 141B7 and 142B7 are shorter than the first branch electrodes 141B5 and 142B5 and the second branch electrodes 141B6 and 142B6.

  Furthermore, the switch 1 of the present embodiment is provided next to the third branch electrodes 141B7 and 142B7, and extends to the other counter electrodes 142 and 141 that form a pair with the counter electrodes 141 and 142. 142B8. The widths of the fourth branch electrodes 141B8 and 142B8 are wider than the widths of the first branch electrodes 141B5 and 142B5.

  As described above, the switch 1 of the second embodiment is obtained by changing the branch electrode pattern in the switch 1 of the first embodiment, and has the same characteristics as the switch 1 of the first embodiment.

That is, it has the following correspondence.
(1) The first branch electrodes 141B5 and 142B5 in the present embodiment correspond to the first branch electrodes 141B1 and 142B1 in the first embodiment, and the central regions 141B5a and 142B5a in the present embodiment are the central regions in the first embodiment. 141B1a and 142B1a.
(2) The second branch electrodes 141B6 and 142B6 in the present embodiment correspond to the second branch electrodes 141B2 and 142B2 in the first embodiment, and the parallel regions 141B6a and 142B6a in the present embodiment are parallel regions in the first embodiment. The crank areas 141B6b and 142B6b correspond to the crank areas 141B2b and 142B2b in the first embodiment.
(3) The third branch electrodes 141B7 and 142B7 in the present embodiment correspond to the third branch electrodes 141B3 and 142B3 in the first embodiment.
(4) The fourth branch electrodes 141B8 and 142B8 in the present embodiment correspond to the fourth branch electrodes 141B4 and 142B4 in the first embodiment.

  The switch 1 according to the second embodiment has the same technical features as the switch 1 according to the first embodiment, and exhibits the common operational effects. From the viewpoint of omitting duplicate descriptions, the description related to the switch 1 of the first embodiment is incorporated herein as an explanation of the switch 1 of the second embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Switch 11 ... 1st contact member, 1st insulating base material 12 ... 2nd contact member, 2nd insulating base material 13 ... Upper electrode 13A ... Low resistance electrode, silver electrode 13B ... High resistance electrode, carbon electrode 14 ... Lower electrode 141 ... First counter electrode 141A ... Low resistance electrode, silver electrode 141B ... High resistance electrode, carbon electrode 141B1, 141B5 ... First branch electrode 141B1a, 141B5a ... Central region 141B2, 141B6 ... Second branch electrode 141B2a, 141B6a ... parallel region 141B2b, 141B6b ... crank region 141B3, 141B7 ... third branch electrode 141B4, 141B8 ... fourth branch electrode 142 ... second counter electrode 142A ... low resistance electrode, silver electrode 142B ... high resistance electrode, carbon electrode 142B1, 142B5 ... first branch electrodes 142B1a, 142B5a ... center Area 142B2, 142B6 ... 2nd branch electrode 142B2a, 142B6a ... Parallel area 142B2b, 142B6b ... Crank area 142B3, 142B7 ... 3rd branch electrode 142B4, 142B8 ... 4th branch electrode 15 ... Divided area 16 ... Spacer 16A, 16B ... Adhesive layer 17 ... Opening 18 ... Presser 19 ... Sheet member 20 ... First support member (first contact member)
21 ... Leg

Claims (14)

A first contact member comprising an upper electrode;
A spacer provided with an opening in a region corresponding to the upper electrode;
A lower electrode capable of contacting and separating from the upper electrode through the opening, and a second contact member arranged to face the first contact member with the spacer interposed therebetween,
The upper electrode and / or the lower electrode includes a pair of opposed electrodes insulated from each other,
One counter electrode and the other counter electrode forming the pair of counter electrodes are located at the center of the opening of the spacer, and have a central region to which a pressing force for contacting the upper electrode and the lower electrode is first applied. Each including a first branch electrode extending toward another counter electrode that forms a pair with the counter electrode,
The counter electrode includes a second branch electrode including a parallel region provided along the central region at a position outside the central region of the first branch electrode of the other counter electrode of the pair.
The circuit length of the second branch electrode is longer than the circuit length of the first branch electrode.   The switch according to claim 1, wherein a distance from the central region to an open end of the second branch electrode is shorter than a distance from the central region to the open end of the first branch electrode.   3. The second branch electrode has a crank region that intersects at a predetermined angle with a direction extending toward another counter electrode that forms a pair with the counter electrode, and that is connected to the parallel region. Switch described in. The counter electrode includes a third branch electrode that is provided next to the first branch electrode included in the counter electrode and extends to another counter electrode that forms a pair with the counter electrode.
4. The switch according to claim 1, wherein a circuit length of the third branch electrode is shorter than a circuit length of the first branch electrode. 5. The counter electrode includes a third branch electrode that is provided next to the first branch electrode included in the counter electrode and extends to another counter electrode that forms a pair with the counter electrode.
The switch according to claim 1, wherein a circuit length of the third branch electrode is shorter than a circuit length of the second branch electrode.   The pair of counter electrodes are arranged such that an open end portion of the one counter electrode connected to the parallel region of the second branch electrode faces an open end portion of the third branch electrode of the other counter electrode. The switch according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the switch is provided. The counter electrode includes a fourth branch electrode that is provided next to the third branch electrode included in the counter electrode and extends to another counter electrode that forms a pair with the counter electrode.
The switch according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein a width of the fourth branch electrode is wider than a width of the first branch electrode. Each of the counter electrodes includes a high resistance electrode having a relatively high resistance value and a low resistance electrode having a relatively low resistance value,
The switch according to claim 7, wherein at least a part of the low resistance electrode is formed as a lower layer of a part of the fourth branch electrode. Each of the counter electrodes includes a high resistance electrode having a relatively high resistance value and a low resistance electrode having a relatively low resistance value,
The branch electrode is composed of the high resistance electrode, and is connected to the low resistance electrode.
The circuit length of the branch electrode is a length from a connection end connected to the low resistance electrode to a contact point at which a pressing force for bringing the upper electrode and the lower electrode into contact with each other is first applied to the branch electrode. The switch according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: Each of the counter electrodes is connected to a wiring for sending an on / off signal of the switch to the outside,
The circuit length of the branch electrode is a length from a connection end connected to the wiring to a contact point where a pressing force for bringing the upper electrode and the lower electrode into contact with each other is first applied to the branch electrode. The switch according to any one of claims 1 to 8.   The counter electrode includes a high resistance electrode having a relatively high resistance value and a low resistance electrode having a relatively low resistance value, and the low resistance electrode is provided outside an inner edge of the opening of the spacer. The switch according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the switch is provided.   The switch according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a pressing element that is arranged to face the center of the opening and presses the upper electrode and / or the lower electrode. .   The switch according to claim 1, wherein the pair of counter electrodes are arranged symmetrically with respect to a center of the opening. A first contact member comprising an upper electrode;
A spacer provided with an opening in a region corresponding to the upper electrode;
A lower electrode capable of contacting and separating from the upper electrode through the opening, and a second contact member arranged to face the first contact member with the spacer interposed therebetween,
The upper electrode and / or the lower electrode includes a pair of opposed electrodes insulated from each other,
One counter electrode and the other counter electrode forming the pair of counter electrodes are located at the center of the opening of the spacer, and have a central region to which a pressing force for contacting the upper electrode and the lower electrode is first applied. Each including a first branch electrode extending toward another counter electrode that forms a pair with the counter electrode,
The counter electrode includes a second branch electrode provided to the first branch electrode at an outer position separated from the center of the opening than a center region of the other counter electrode forming the pair;
Extending to the other side of the counter electrode paired with the counter electrode at a position outside the center of the opening with respect to the second branch electrode of the counter electrode. A third branch electrode that
The circuit length of the third branch electrode is shorter than the circuit length of the second branch electrode.

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