WO2016075900A1 - 入力装置、センサ、キーボードおよび電子機器 - Google Patents
入力装置、センサ、キーボードおよび電子機器 Download PDFInfo
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- WO2016075900A1 WO2016075900A1 PCT/JP2015/005528 JP2015005528W WO2016075900A1 WO 2016075900 A1 WO2016075900 A1 WO 2016075900A1 JP 2015005528 W JP2015005528 W JP 2015005528W WO 2016075900 A1 WO2016075900 A1 WO 2016075900A1
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
- G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
- G06F3/0354—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
- G06F3/03547—Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
- G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
- G06F1/1633—Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
- G06F1/1684—Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
- G06F1/169—Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
- G06F3/0202—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
- G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
- G06F3/0412—Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
- G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
- G06F3/044—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means
- G06F3/0443—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means using a single layer of sensing electrodes
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
- G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
- G06F3/044—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means
- G06F3/0446—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
- G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
- G06F3/044—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means
- G06F3/0447—Position sensing using the local deformation of sensor cells
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
- G06F3/0487—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
- G06F3/0488—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
- G06F3/04883—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
- G06F3/0487—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
- G06F3/0488—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
- G06F3/04886—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
- H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
- H03K17/94—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
- H03K17/96—Touch switches
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
- H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
- H03K17/94—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
- H03K17/965—Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch
- H03K17/975—Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch using a capacitive movable element
Definitions
- This technology relates to input devices, sensors, keyboards, and electronic devices. Specifically, the present invention relates to an input device including a plurality of structures.
- touchpads attached to the keyboard are still required for reasons such as usability being lost if the hand moves between the display and the keyboard during operation. Yes. As the keyboard area becomes smaller, the location of the touchpad functions is important.
- Patent Document 1 proposes an input device that can operate different input means on the same operation surface.
- an object of the present technology is to provide an input device, a sensor, a keyboard, and an electronic device that can perform two types of input operations on the same operation surface.
- the first technique is: A flexible conductor layer; A plurality of structures whose reaction force changes nonlinearly with the amount of indentation; A capacitive sensor layer; A plurality of structures and an intermediate layer provided between the sensor layers, The intermediate layer is an input device having a plurality of holes into which a plurality of structures are respectively pushed.
- the second technology is A flexible conductor layer; A plurality of structures whose reaction force changes nonlinearly with the amount of indentation; A capacitive sensor layer; A plurality of structures and an intermediate layer provided between the sensor layers, The intermediate layer is a sensor having a plurality of holes into which the plurality of structures are respectively pushed.
- the third technology is A flexible conductor layer; A structure whose reaction force changes nonlinearly with the amount of pushing, A capacitive sensor layer; An intermediate layer provided between the structure and the sensor layer, The intermediate layer is a sensor having holes into which the structures are respectively pushed.
- the fourth technology is A flexible conductor layer; A plurality of structures whose reaction force changes nonlinearly with the amount of indentation; A capacitive sensor layer; A plurality of structures and an intermediate layer provided between the sensor layers, The intermediate layer is a keyboard having a plurality of holes into which the plurality of structures are respectively pushed.
- the fifth technology is A flexible conductor layer; A plurality of structures whose reaction force changes nonlinearly with the amount of indentation; A capacitive sensor layer; An input device comprising a plurality of structures and an intermediate layer provided between the sensor layers, The intermediate layer is an electronic device having a plurality of holes into which a plurality of structures are respectively pushed.
- two types of input operations can be performed on the same operation surface.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present technology.
- FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of the sensor module according to the first embodiment of the present technology.
- 2B is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a part of the sensor module illustrated in FIG. 2A.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of the sensor layer.
- FIG. 4A is a plan view showing a configuration example of the X electrode.
- FIG. 4B is a plan view illustrating a configuration example of the Y electrode.
- FIG. 5A is a plan view showing an arrangement example of the X and Y electrodes.
- FIG. 5A is a plan view showing an arrangement example of the X and Y electrodes.
- FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VB-VB in FIG. 5A.
- FIG. 6A is a top view illustrating a configuration example of the sensor module in a state in which the key top layer, the reference electrode layer, and the pressing body are removed.
- 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIB-VIB of FIG. 6A.
- FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view for explaining an operation example of the sensor module during a gesture input operation.
- FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view for explaining an operation example of the sensor module during a key input operation.
- FIG. 8A is a diagram showing the relationship between the amount of movement of the reference electrode and the reaction force against the operator.
- FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the amount of movement of the reference electrode and the change in capacitance.
- FIG. 8C is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a reaction force against the operator and a change in capacity.
- FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the controller IC.
- 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views each illustrating a configuration example of the sensor module according to the first modification of the first embodiment of the present technology.
- FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a sensor module according to Modification 2 of the first embodiment of the present technology.
- FIG. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D are each a plan view illustrating a configuration example of an emboss layer of a sensor module according to Modification 2 of the first embodiment of the present technology.
- FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a sensor module according to Modification 3 of the first embodiment of the present technology.
- FIG. 14A is a top view illustrating a configuration example of the sensor module in a state in which the key top layer and the pressing body are removed.
- 14B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIVB-XIVB in FIG. 14A.
- 15A and 15B are cross-sectional views each illustrating a configuration example of a sensor module according to Modification 4 of the first embodiment of the present technology.
- FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a sensor module according to the second embodiment of the present technology.
- FIG. 17A is a cross-sectional view for explaining an operation example of the sensor module during a gesture input operation.
- FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional view for explaining an operation example of the sensor module at the time of a key input operation.
- FIG. 18A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a sensor module according to Modification 1 of the second embodiment of the present technology.
- FIG. 18B is a cross-sectional view for explaining an operation example of the sensor module during a gesture input operation.
- FIG. 18C is a cross-sectional view for explaining an operation example of the sensor module at the time of a key input operation.
- FIG. 18A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a sensor module according to Modification 1 of the second embodiment of the present technology.
- FIG. 18B is a cross-sectional view for explaining an operation
- FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a sensor module according to Modification 2 of the second embodiment of the present technology.
- FIG. 20A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a sensor module according to the third embodiment of the present technology.
- FIG. 20B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a sensor module according to a modification of the third embodiment of the present technology.
- FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a sensor module according to the fourth embodiment of the present technology.
- FIG. 22A is a diagram showing a distance-pressure curve of keyboards of Examples 1-1 and 1-2 and Comparative Example 1-1.
- FIG. 22B is a diagram showing a distance-pressure curve of the keyboards of Examples 2-1 to 2-4.
- FIG. 23A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the shape of the convex portion of Example 3-1.
- FIG. 23B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the shape of the convex portion of Example 3-2.
- FIG. 24A is a schematic sectional view showing the shape of the convex portion of Example 4-2.
- FIG. 24B is a schematic sectional view showing the shape of the convex portion of Example 5-2.
- FIG. 25A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a sensor module according to Modification 6 of the first embodiment of the present technology.
- FIG. 25B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a sensor module according to Modification 7 of the first embodiment of the present technology.
- FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a sensor module according to Modification 9 of the first embodiment of the present technology.
- FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a sensor module according to Modification 10 of the first embodiment of the present technology.
- FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a sensor module according to Modification 7 of the second embodiment of the present technology.
- FIG. 29A is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of an uneven film according to the fifth embodiment of the present technology.
- FIG. 29B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of an uneven film according to Modification 1 of the fifth embodiment of the present technology.
- FIG. 29C is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of an uneven film according to Modification 2 of the fifth embodiment of the present technology.
- FIG. 30A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a concavo-convex film according to Modification 3 of the fifth embodiment of the present technology.
- FIG. 30B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of an uneven film according to Modification 4 of the fifth embodiment of the present technology.
- FIG. 30C is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a concavo-convex film according to Modification 5 of the fifth embodiment of the present technology.
- FIG. 31A is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of an uneven structure according to the sixth embodiment of the present technology.
- FIG. 31B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of the concavo-convex structure according to Modification 1 of the sixth embodiment of the present technology.
- FIG. 31C is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of the concavo-convex structure according to Modification 2 of the sixth embodiment of the present technology.
- the electronic device 10 includes a keyboard 11, a host 12 that is a main body of the electronic device 10, and a display device 13.
- a configuration in which the keyboard 11 is provided in the electronic device 10 and the two are integrated is shown, but a configuration in which the keyboard 11 is provided as a peripheral device outside the electronic device 10 is shown. It may be adopted.
- a configuration in which the display device 13 is provided in the electronic device 10 and the two are integrated is shown, but a configuration in which the display device 13 is provided as a peripheral device outside the electronic device 10 is adopted. May be.
- Examples of the electronic device 10 include, but are not limited to, mobile phones such as personal computers and smartphones, tablet computers, televisions, cameras, portable game devices, car navigation systems, and wearable devices.
- the keyboard 11 is an example of an input device, and includes a sensor module (sensor) 20 and a controller IC (Integrated Circuit) 14.
- the sensor module 20 can perform both key input operation 20a and gesture input operation 20b.
- the sensor module 20 detects a change in capacitance according to the input operation, and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the change to the controller IC 14.
- the controller IC 14 outputs information corresponding to the operation performed on the sensor module 20 to the host 12 based on the electrical signal supplied from the sensor module 20. For example, information on the pressed key (for example, a scan code), coordinate information, and the like are output.
- the host 12 executes various processes based on information supplied from the keyboard 11. For example, processing such as displaying character information on the display device 13 and moving the cursor displayed on the display device 13 is executed.
- the display device 13 displays a video (screen) based on a video signal, a control signal, or the like supplied from the host 12.
- Examples of the display device 13 include a liquid crystal display, an electroluminescence (EL) display, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, and a plasma display panel (PDP), but are not limited thereto. is not.
- the sensor module 20 includes a reference electrode layer 21 as a first conductor layer, a sensor layer 22, an intermediate layer (spacer layer) 23, a plurality of structures 24, and a reference electrode layer 25 as a second conductor layer. And a key top layer 26.
- the main surface on the operation surface side of both main surfaces of the sensor module 20 and its constituent elements (component members) is referred to as the front surface (first surface), and the main surface on the opposite side is the back surface (first surface). 2 side).
- the sensor module 20 detects the input operation by electrostatically detecting a change in the distance between the reference electrode layer 25 and the sensor layer 22 due to the input operation on the key top layer 26.
- the input operation is a key input operation on the key top layer 26 or a gesture operation on the key top layer 26.
- a reference electrode layer 25 is provided on the front surface side of the sensor layer 22 with a predetermined interval, and a reference electrode layer 21 is provided adjacent to the back surface side.
- a reference electrode layer 21 is provided adjacent to the back surface side.
- the reference electrode layer 21 constitutes the back surface of the sensor module 20 and is disposed to face the reference electrode 26 and the sensor module 20 in the thickness direction.
- the reference electrode layer 21 has higher bending rigidity than, for example, the sensor layer 22 and the reference electrode layer 25 and functions as a support plate for the sensor module 20.
- a metal plate containing a metal material such as an Al alloy or Mg alloy, a conductor plate such as a carbon fiber reinforced plastic, an insulator layer containing a plastic material, a plating film, a vapor deposition film, sputtering, etc.
- a laminate in which a conductive layer such as a film or a metal foil is formed can be used.
- the reference electrode layer 21 is connected to a ground potential, for example.
- the shape of the reference electrode layer 21 examples include a flat plate shape, but are not limited thereto.
- the reference electrode layer 21 may have a step portion.
- One or more openings may be provided in the reference electrode layer 21.
- the reference electrode layer 21 may have a mesh configuration.
- the reference electrode layer 25 has flexibility. For this reason, the reference electrode layer 25 can be deformed according to the pressing of the operation surface.
- the reference electrode layer 25 is, for example, a conductive film. Examples of the conductive film that can be used include a stainless steel (SUS) film, a carbon-printed film, an ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) film, and a metal deposited film on which a metal such as Cu is deposited.
- the reference electrode layer 25 is connected to a ground potential, for example.
- the sensor layer 22 is provided between the reference electrode layer 21 and the reference electrode layer 25 and can electrostatically detect a change in the distance from the reference electrode layer 25 on the operation surface side.
- the sensor layer 22 includes a plurality of detection units, and the plurality of detection units detect a capacitance that changes according to the distance from the reference electrode layer 25.
- the sensor layer 22 is a capacitive sensor layer, and includes a base material 41, a plurality of X and Y electrodes 42 and 43, and an insulating layer 44.
- the X axis and the Y axis mean axes that are orthogonal to each other within the surface of the substrate 41.
- the plurality of X and Y electrodes 42 and 43 are provided on the surface of the base material 41.
- the insulating layer 44 is provided on the surface of the base material 41 so as to cover the plurality of X and Y electrodes 42 and 43.
- a combination of these X and Y electrodes 42 and 43 constitutes a plurality of detection units 22s.
- the plurality of detection units 22 s are two-dimensionally arranged on the surface of the base material 41 according to the key arrangement of the sensor module 20.
- a polymer resin film or a glass substrate can be used as the base material 41.
- the polymer resin film material include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polycarbonate (PC), acrylic resin (PMMA), polyimide (PI), triacetyl cellulose (TAC), polyester, and polyamide.
- PA polyethylene terephthalate
- PEN polyethylene naphthalate
- PC polycarbonate
- acrylic resin PMMA
- PI polyimide
- TAC triacetyl cellulose
- polyester and polyamide.
- PA polyamide
- PA polyethylene
- PE polyacrylate
- polyether sulfone polysulfone
- PP polypropylene
- diacetyl cellulose polyvinyl chloride
- epoxy resin urea resin, urethane resin, melamine resin, cyclic olefin polymer (COP)
- COP cyclic olefin polymer
- an inorganic material or an organic material may be used.
- the inorganic materials for example, be SiO 2, SiNx, SiON, Al 2 O 3, Ta 2 O 5, Y 2 O 3, HfO 2, HfAlO, and ZrO 2, TiO 2 is used.
- the organic material for example, polyacrylate such as PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), PS (polystyrene), transparent polyimide, polyester, epoxy, polyvinylphenol, polyvinyl alcohol, and the like can be used.
- FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 5 show a configuration in which the detection units 22s are two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix for easy illustration.
- the arrangement of the detection units 22s is selected according to the key arrangement of the sensor module 20, and the matrix-like two-dimensional arrangement is an example and is not limited to this.
- the X electrode 42 as the first electrode includes an electrode line portion 42p, a plurality of unit electrode bodies 42m, and a plurality of connection portions 42z.
- the electrode wire portion 42p extends in the X-axis direction.
- the plurality of unit electrode bodies 42m are arranged at regular intervals in the X-axis direction.
- the electrode wire portion 42p and the unit electrode body 42m are arranged with a predetermined distance therebetween, and the two are connected by a connecting portion 42z.
- the connection part 42z may be omitted, and a configuration in which the unit electrode body 42m is directly provided on the electrode line part 42p may be employed.
- the unit electrode body 42m has a comb-teeth shape as a whole. Specifically, the unit electrode body 42m includes a plurality of sub-electrodes 42w and a coupling portion 42y. The plurality of sub-electrodes 42w extend in the Y-axis direction. The adjacent sub-electrodes 42w are separated for a predetermined period. One end of the plurality of sub-electrodes 42w is connected to a coupling portion 42y extending in the X-axis direction.
- the Y electrode 43 as the second electrode includes an electrode line portion 43p, a plurality of unit electrode bodies 43m, and a plurality of connection portions 43z.
- the electrode line portion 43p extends in the Y-axis direction.
- the plurality of unit electrode bodies 43m are arranged at regular intervals in the Y-axis direction.
- the electrode wire portion 43p and the unit electrode body 43m are arranged to be separated from each other by a predetermined distance, and the two are connected by a connecting portion 43z.
- the unit electrode body 43m has a comb-like shape as a whole. Specifically, the unit electrode body 43m includes a plurality of sub-electrodes 43w and a coupling portion 43y. The plurality of sub-electrodes 43w extend in the Y-axis direction. The adjacent sub-electrodes 43w are separated for a predetermined period. One end of the plurality of sub-electrodes 43w is connected to a coupling portion 43y extending in the X-axis direction.
- the plurality of sub-electrodes 42w of the unit electrode body 42m and the plurality of sub-electrodes 43w of the unit electrode body 43m are alternately arranged in the X-axis direction.
- the sub-electrodes 42w and 43w are separated from each other for a predetermined period.
- the sub electrodes 42w and 43w adjacent to each other in the in-plane direction of the base material 41 form capacitive coupling.
- the controller IC 14 determines which of the gesture and key input operations has been performed on the operation surface.
- insulating layers 44 and 45 are provided on the electrode line portion 42p of the X electrode 42, and the end portions of the electrode line portion 43p are electrically connected to each other while straddling the insulating layers 44 and 45. Therefore, a jumper wiring 43q is provided. An insulating layer 46 and an adhesive layer 23c are laminated on the jumper wiring 43q. The X and Y electrodes 42 and 43 are covered with an insulating layer 44 as shown in FIG.
- the plurality of structures 24 include a convex portion 31 and a pressing body 32 provided on the top portion 31 a of the convex portion 31.
- the plurality of structures 24 are provided between the reference electrode layer 25 and the intermediate layer 23.
- the plurality of structures 24 separate the reference electrode layer 25 and the intermediate layer 23 and provide a predetermined space.
- the convex portion 31 is composed of an embossed layer 33 that is an uneven layer.
- the convex portion 31 is a convex portion of the embossed layer 33 that is a concavo-convex layer provided on the surface of the intermediate layer 23.
- the back surface side of the convex portion 31 is recessed, and the inside of the convex portion 31 is hollow.
- a flat portion 34 is provided between the convex portions 31, and the plurality of structures 24 are fixed to the surface of the intermediate layer 23 by, for example, bonding the flat portion 34 to the intermediate layer 23. .
- the plurality of keys 26 a included in the key top layer 26 are provided on the plurality of structures 24, respectively.
- embossing layer 33 it is preferable to use an embossed film.
- a polymer resin material can be used.
- the polymer resin material include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polycarbonate (PC), acrylic resin (PMMA), polyimide (PI), triacetyl cellulose (TAC), polyester, polyamide (PA ), Aramid, polyethylene (PE), polyacrylate, polyether sulfone, polysulfone, polypropylene (PP), diacetyl cellulose, polyvinyl chloride, epoxy resin, urea resin, urethane resin, melamine resin, cyclic olefin polymer (COP), Examples include norbornene-based thermoplastic resins.
- the convex portion 31 is a reaction force structure in which the reaction force changes nonlinearly with respect to the pushing amount (with respect to the operation load).
- the convex portion 31 includes a top portion 31a and a buckling portion 31b.
- the shape of the convex portion 31 is preferably a truncated cone shape or a quadrangular pyramid shape. By having such a shape, the height can be suppressed compared to the case of having a dome shape.
- the operating load and the click rate can be adjusted by the angle of the buckling portion 31b, the thickness of the convex portion 31 (that is, the thickness of the embossed layer 33), the size of the convex portion 31, and the like.
- the angle of the buckling portion 31b is, for example, 15 ° or less, preferably 4 ° or more and 7.5 ° or less.
- the thickness of the convex portion 31 is, for example, 50 ⁇ m or more and 100 ⁇ m.
- the size (diameter) ⁇ of the convex portion 31 is, for example, 10 mm.
- the height of the convex portion 31 is, for example, 200 ⁇ m.
- the thickness of the pressing body 32 is preferably equal to or thicker than that of the intermediate layer 23. For example, it is 100 ⁇ m or more and 200 ⁇ m or less.
- the pressing body 32 is, for example, a double-sided adhesive film, and includes a resin layer 32a and adhesive layers 32b and 32c provided on both surfaces of the resin layer 32a.
- the pressing body 32 is bonded to the surface of the top portion 31a of the convex portion 31 via the adhesive layer 32b, and is bonded to the back surface of the reference electrode layer 25 via the adhesive layer 32c.
- the embossed layer 33 has a vent hole 35, and the adjacent convex portions 31 are connected by the vent hole 35.
- the air holes 35 are holes formed by grooves provided on the back surface of the emboss layer 33 and the surface of the intermediate layer 23.
- a groove is also provided in a portion facing the groove of the embossed layer 33, and the air hole 35 is configured by combining the groove on the back surface of the embossed layer 33 and the groove on the surface of the intermediate layer 23. You may do it.
- the intermediate layer 23 includes a main body layer 23b of the intermediate layer 23 and an adhesive layer 23c provided on the surface of the main body layer 23b.
- the intermediate layer 23 has a plurality of holes 23a.
- the hole 23 a is a through hole penetrating from the front surface to the back surface of the intermediate layer 23.
- Each of the plurality of holes 23 a is provided directly below the plurality of structures 24. That is, each of the plurality of hole portions 23 a is provided at a position overlapping with the plurality of structures 24 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the intermediate layer 23. Thereby, when key input operation is performed, the top part 31a of the convex-shaped part 31 can be reversed and can enter the hole part 23a.
- the intermediate layer 23 is configured by, for example, screen printing or a molded film.
- the thickness of the intermediate layer 23 is, for example, 100 ⁇ m.
- the convex portion 31 is preferably provided such that the inner periphery on the bottom side is substantially in contact with the outer periphery of the hole 23 a of the intermediate layer 23. More specifically, for example, when the hole 23a of the intermediate layer 23 has a square outer periphery and the convex portion 31 has a truncated cone shape, the inner periphery of the bottom of the convex portion 31 is It is preferable to be provided so as to be substantially in contact with the outer periphery of the hole 23a.
- the structure 24 undergoes a sudden change in reaction force when inverted.
- the hole 23a has a certain depth. It is preferable.
- the thickness T1 of the pressing body 32 is preferably equal to or greater than the thickness T2 of the intermediate layer 23, that is, the depth of the hole 23a. This is because the click feeling is improved.
- the depth of the hole part 23a is below the height of the convex part 31. FIG. This is because if the height of the convex portion 31 is exceeded, the convex portion 31 may not return after being inverted.
- the intermediate layer 23 includes insulating layers 45 and 46 and an adhesive layer 23 c stacked on the insulating layer 44.
- the intermediate layer 23 and the embossed layer 33 are bonded together via the adhesive layer 23c.
- the body layer 23 b of the intermediate layer 23 is composed of insulating layers 45 and 46.
- Key top layer As the key top layer 26, for example, a resin film, a flexible metal plate, or the like can be used. A plurality of keys 26 a are arranged on the surface of the key top layer 26 (the surface on the input side). Characters, symbols, functions, etc. are printed on the key 26a. By pressing or releasing the key 26a, information such as scan code is output from the controller IC 14 to the host 12.
- the controller IC 14 determines whether a gesture or a key input operation has been performed on the operation surface based on an electrical signal supplied from the sensor module 20 in accordance with a change in capacitance, and the determination result is The corresponding information is output to the host 12. Specifically, the controller IC 14 has two threshold values A and B, and makes the above determination based on these threshold values A and B. For example, if it is determined that a gesture input operation has been performed, coordinate information is output to the host 12. If it is determined that a key input operation has been performed, information relating to a key such as a scan code is output to the host 12.
- the structure 24 has a function in which the reaction force against the operator changes nonlinearly with respect to the amount of movement of the reference electrode layer 25, as shown in FIG. 8A. Specifically, in the structure 24, the reaction force increases in response to the operator's pressing and increases to the maximum value at P1, and when the pressing amount is further increased, the reaction force decreases to the minimum value P2 and the limit of the pressing deformation. It has the function of increasing the reaction force again when pushed to the point.
- the capacitance change monotonously increases with respect to the movement amount of the reference electrode layer 25 as shown in FIG. 8B. Further, as shown in FIG. 8C, the change in capacitance changes gradually after the change in response to an increase in the reaction force on the operator, and then changes gently again. Region R B initially changes gently, in Figure 8A, from the start of pushing the operator the initial position, corresponding to the region up to the reaction force reaches the maximum value P1. Further, the region RA that changes sharply corresponds to a region where the reaction force reaches the minimum value P2 from the maximum value P1 in FIG. 8A.
- a threshold value A in the region RA By setting a threshold value A in the region RA and determining whether or not the capacitance exceeds the threshold value A, it is possible to determine whether or not a key input operation is performed on the operation surface.
- a threshold value B in the region RB and determining whether or not the capacitance exceeds the threshold value B it is possible to determine whether or not a gesture operation is being performed on the operation surface.
- step S1 when the user performs an input operation on the operation surface of the keyboard 11, in step S2, the controller IC 14 converts the electrical signal supplied from the sensor module 20 according to the change in capacitance. Based on this, it is determined whether or not the capacitance change is greater than or equal to the threshold value A. If it is determined in step S2 that the capacitance change is greater than or equal to the threshold value A, the controller IC 14 outputs information related to the key such as a scan code to the host 12 in step S3. Thereby, key input is performed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that the capacitance change is not greater than or equal to the threshold value A, the process proceeds to step S4.
- step S4 the controller IC 14 determines whether or not the change in capacitance is greater than or equal to the threshold value B based on the electrical signal corresponding to the change in capacitance supplied from the sensor module 20. If it is determined in step S4 that the capacitance change is greater than or equal to the threshold value B, in step S5, the controller IC 14 operates according to the gesture determination algorithm. Thereby, gesture input is performed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the change in capacitance is not greater than or equal to the threshold value B, the process returns to step S1.
- the operation surface of the keyboard 11 can have two functions of key input and gesture cursor operation.
- a keyboard function and a touch pad function can be mounted in a small area.
- a large click feeling and stroke can be obtained with a thin structure.
- a configuration may be employed in which a thick film portion 31c is provided in which the thickness of the top portion 31a of the convex portion 31 is larger than the thickness of the buckling portion 31b.
- the thick film part 31c is bonded to the reference electrode layer 25 via the adhesive layer 32c.
- the pressing body 32 is comprised by the thick film part 31c and the adhesion layer 32c.
- the embossed layer 33 the embossed film in which the part corresponding to the top part 31a became thick compared with the part other than that is used, for example.
- Such an embossed film can be formed by, for example, melt molding.
- the convex portion 31 may include a shape portion 31d in which the top portion 31a is deformed into a convex shape.
- the shape part 31d is bonded to the reference electrode layer 25 via the adhesive layer 32c.
- the pressing body 32 is configured by the shape portion 31d and the adhesive layer 32c.
- the shape of the convex portion 31 is preferably a truncated cone shape.
- the shape of the shape portion 31d for example, a shape in which a part or all of the top of the convex portion 31 protrudes uniformly, or a shape in which a depression is provided in the center of this shape, the click feeling is improved. From the viewpoint, the former is preferable.
- examples of the shape of the shape portion 31d include a columnar shape, a columnar shape such as a polygonal columnar shape, or a shape in which a depression is provided in the center thereof.
- a columnar shape such as a columnar shape is preferred.
- the shape part 31d is preferably formed simultaneously with the convex part 31 by embossing.
- the stiffness of the top part 31a of the convex part 31 is small, deformation occurs there, and stress concentration does not occur on the part to be clicked, and there is a possibility that a clear click cannot be obtained.
- a hard and thick material to the top portion 31a of the convex portion 31 to form the pressing body 32, an improvement in tactile sensation can be expected.
- such a configuration may increase the cost.
- the shape part 31d is attached to the top part 31a of the convex part 31 to increase the stiffness, the tactile sensation can be improved without increasing the cost.
- the resin layer 32a may be made of a material having a higher hardness than the material of the emboss layer 33, for example, a material having a higher hardness.
- the thickness of the buckling portion 31b may be made thinner than the thickness of the top portion 31a.
- FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B a large number of holes 33 a may be provided in the embossed layer 33.
- FIG. 12A shows an example in which a large number of holes 33a are provided in the embossed layer 33 provided with the frustoconical convex portion 31.
- FIG. 12B shows an example in which a large number of holes 33a are provided in the embossed layer 33 provided with the convex portions 31 having a quadrangular pyramid shape. From the viewpoint of adjusting the operating load, it is preferable to provide a large number of holes 33a in the buckling portion 31b.
- the buckling portion may be constituted by a plurality of leg portions 31e by partially cutting the buckling portion.
- FIG. 12C shows an example in which a plurality of leg portions 31e are provided for a circular top portion 31a.
- FIG. 12D shows an example in which a plurality of leg portions 31e are provided with respect to a rectangular top portion 31a.
- the sensor module 20 By adopting a configuration in which the thickness of the buckling portion 31b described above is reduced, a configuration in which a large number of hole portions 33a are provided in the embossed layer 33, or a configuration in which the buckling portion has a plurality of leg portions 31e, the sensor module 20 is configured. The weight can be reduced and the operating load can be adjusted. Note that two or more of these configurations may be used in combination.
- the structure 24 has a side surface standing substantially perpendicular to the surface of the intermediate layer 23 or a side surface inclined at an inclination angle of less than 90 ° with respect to the surface of the intermediate layer 23. And a convex portion 31 provided on the base portion 36 so that the outer periphery of the base portion 36 is substantially in contact with the outer periphery of the base portion 36. More specifically, the structure 24 has a side surface standing substantially perpendicular to the surface of the intermediate layer 23 or a side surface inclined at an inclination angle of less than 90 ° with respect to the surface of the intermediate layer 23.
- a base portion 36 having a square outer periphery and a convex portion 31 having a truncated cone shape provided on the base portion 36 are provided.
- a click feeling improves.
- the outer periphery on the bottom side of the convex portion 31 is substantially in contact with the outer periphery of the base portion 36. This is because the click feeling is further improved.
- the air hole 35 is provided on the side surface of the base portion 36.
- the cost may increase due to factors such as material costs and the number of times of printing.
- the thickness of the intermediate layer 23 can be reduced, so that the cost can be reduced.
- a plurality of supports 37 that support the reference electrode layer 25 may be provided on the surface of the flat portion 34.
- the support 37 separates the reference electrode layer 25 and the intermediate layer 23 and provides a predetermined space.
- the support body 37 may be a wall portion provided continuously around the structure 24, or may be a columnar body provided discontinuously at a predetermined interval.
- An adhesive layer 37a may be provided at the lower end of the support 37, and the support 37 may be bonded to the surface of the flat portion 34 via the adhesive layer 37a.
- an adhesive layer 37b may be provided on the upper end of the support 37, and the support 37 may be bonded to the back surface of the reference electrode layer 25 via the adhesive layer 37b.
- the material of the support 37 for example, a polymer resin material is used.
- a polymer resin material it is preferable to use a photocurable resin such as an ultraviolet curable resin.
- the elastic modulus of the support 37 is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately selected within a range where desired detection sensitivity and the like can be obtained.
- the support 37 may be configured as a part of an embossing layer 33 such as an embossing film.
- the support 37 may be formed by embossing simultaneously with the convex portion 31.
- the height of the support 37 is higher than the height of the structure 24.
- a predetermined space can be provided by separating the pressing body 32 of the convex portion 31 and the reference electrode layer 25.
- the configuration in which the X and Y electrodes are provided in the same plane of the base material has been described as an example.
- the configuration of the X and Y electrodes is not limited to this example.
- a configuration in which striped X and Y electrodes are orthogonally intersected with a predetermined interval may be adopted.
- the X and Y electrodes may be elongated rectangular electrodes, or may be electrodes composed of a plurality of linear electrode elements.
- the sensor module 20 may further include a base layer 51 provided between the sensor layer 22 and the intermediate layer 23.
- the base layer 51 is not attached to the underlying sensor layer 22 by an adhesive layer or the like, but is merely placed.
- the base layer 51 has the same or substantially the same linear expansion coefficient as the embossed layer 33.
- the base layer 51 and the embossed layer 33 may be made of the same material, or may be made of different materials having the same or substantially the same linear expansion coefficient.
- the base layer 51 is a film, and the intermediate layer 23 is directly provided on the surface of the film.
- the film material the same material as the embossed layer 33 can be exemplified.
- the base layer 51 is a single-sided adhesive film including a resin layer as a film and an adhesive layer provided on the surface of the resin layer, and the base layer 51 and the intermediate layer 23 are bonded to each other through the adhesive layer. May be.
- the linear expansion coefficient of the base layer 51 means the linear expansion coefficient of the resin layer that is a film.
- the base layer 51 having the above-described configuration is further provided between the sensor layer 22 and the intermediate layer 23, the sensor layer 22 and the embossed layer 33 due to a change in environmental temperature or the like. Even when the sensor layer 22 expands and contracts in the in-plane direction of the sensor layer 22, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of distortion or the like in the members constituting the sensor module 20. Therefore, the reliability of the sensor module 20 can be improved.
- the base layer 51 may have a plurality of holes 51a into which the tops 31a of the convex portions 31 can be pushed.
- the hole 51 a is a through hole penetrating from the front surface to the back surface of the base layer 51.
- Each of the plurality of hole portions 51 a is provided directly below the plurality of structures 24. That is, when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the surface (operation surface) of the sensor module 20, the holes 23a and 51a are provided at overlapping positions.
- One hole 52 is constituted by the hole 51 a of the base layer 51 and the hole 23 a of the intermediate layer 23.
- the top portion 31 a of the convex portion 31 can be reversed and enter the hole portion 52.
- the hole parts 23a and 51a should just be what can push in the top part 31a of the convex-shaped part 31, and do not need to have the same shape and magnitude
- the base layer 51 is provided with a plurality of holes 51a, and the hole 51a of the base layer 51 and the hole 23a of the intermediate layer 23 constitute one hole 52.
- the feeling of stroke that is, the feeling of keystroke
- main body layer 23b of the intermediate layer 23 may be made of the same film as the above-described base layer 51. In this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained without providing the base layer 51.
- the base material 41 (see FIGS. 3 and 5B) included in the sensor layer 22 may have the same or substantially the same linear expansion coefficient as the embossed layer 33. Also in this case, the reliability of the sensor module 20 can be improved as in the sixth modification.
- the structure 61 may include two pressing bodies 62 and 63 on the top portion 31 a of the convex portion 31.
- the pressing body 63 as the second pressing body is provided on the pressing body 62 as the first pressing body.
- the pressing body 62 is, for example, the shape portion 31d.
- the pressing body 63 is, for example, an adhesive film.
- An adhesive film is a double-sided adhesive film provided with the resin layer 32a which is a film, and the adhesion layers 32b and 32c each provided in both surfaces of this resin layer, for example.
- the pressing body 63 is bonded to the top surface of the shape portion 31d through the adhesive layer 32b, and is bonded to the back surface of the reference electrode layer 25 through the adhesive layer 32c.
- the pressing body 63 has, for example, the same or almost the same size as the pressing body 62.
- the click rate is improved.
- the following effects can also be obtained. Since the embossed layer 33 and the key top layer 26 are separated from each other by a sufficient distance, the embossed layer 33 and the key top layer 26 can be prevented from coming into contact with each other when the key 26a is pressed. The deformation of the key 26a can be suppressed. Since the elasticity of the deformation of the key 26a is not added, the click rate is improved. The touch is improved by the horizontal movement of the key 26a.
- the pressing body 62 as the first pressing body is the shape portion 31d
- the pressing body 62 may be an adhesive film.
- An adhesive film is a single-sided adhesive film provided with the resin layer which is a film, and the adhesive layer provided in the back surface of this resin layer, for example.
- the sensor module 20 may further include a support layer 71 provided between the structure 61 and the reference electrode layer 25.
- a support layer 71 provided between the structure 61 and the reference electrode layer 25.
- the periphery of the support layer 71 is provided outside the periphery of the pressing bodies 62 and 63 and inside the periphery of the key 26a when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the surface (operation surface) of the sensor module 20. It is more preferable that it is provided outside the bottom periphery of the structure 36 and inside the periphery of the key 26a. For example, it is provided so as to overlap or substantially overlap the periphery of the key 26a. By providing the peripheral edge of the support layer 71 at such a position, it is possible to further suppress the graininess of the structure 24 felt through the key top layer 26.
- the support layer 71 is, for example, an adhesive film.
- An adhesive film is a single-sided adhesive film provided with the resin layer 71a which is a film, and the adhesion layer 71b provided in the surface of this resin layer 71a.
- the support layer 71 is bonded to the back surface of the reference electrode layer 25 via the adhesive layer 71b.
- the pressing body 63 is bonded to the back surface of the support layer 71 through the adhesive layer 32c.
- the configuration in which the support layer 71 and the pressing body 63 are separate members has been described as an example, but the support layer 71 and the pressing body 63 may be integrally formed.
- the sensor module includes two or more embossed layers, and two or more convex portions are arranged in the key operation area corresponding to the key, and the two or more convex portions are two or more layers. It may be divided into layers.
- an embossed layer having a single layer structure is provided, and two or more convex portions are arranged in the key operation area corresponding to the key, and the two or more convex portions are arranged in the in-plane direction of the sensor layer. It may be arranged.
- the key operation area means an area corresponding to the operation surface of the key.
- a region where a click feeling can be generated that is, a region where the reaction force changes nonlinearly with respect to the position pressed by the operator can be widened.
- the sensor module 120 includes a reference electrode layer between the intermediate layer 23 and the plurality of structures 24, that is, between the intermediate layer 23 and the embossed layer 33.
- the point of having 25 is different from the first embodiment.
- the structure 24 is provided inside the hole 23 a of the intermediate layer 23 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface (operation surface) of the sensor module 120. More specifically, the lower part of the buckling part 31b of the convex part 31 is provided at a position inside the outer periphery of the hole part 23a.
- the embossed layer 33 may be in a state of being bonded to the reference electrode layer 25 via an adhesive layer or the like, or may not be bonded to the adhesive layer or the like and is only placed on the reference electrode layer 25. It may be in the state.
- a key top layer 27 that is separated by being separated for each key may be provided.
- the key top layer 27 is composed of, for example, a flexible film. This film has a plurality of concave portions 27 a provided at positions corresponding to the respective structures 24. The structure 24 is accommodated in the recess 27a. Even when such a key top layer 27 is provided, as shown in FIGS. 18B and 18C, the sensor module 120 operates in the same manner as that of the second embodiment during a gesture and key input operation.
- the key top layer 27 separated for each key is provided, so that the click feeling can be improved.
- the top portion 31 a of the convex portion 31 may have a protruding portion 33 b on the back side facing the reference electrode layer 25.
- one or more supports 28 may be provided in the hole 23 a of the intermediate layer 23. The support 28 is bonded to the back surface of the reference electrode layer 25 via an adhesive layer 28a provided on the top of the support 28, for example.
- the gesture input operation and the key input operation can be more clearly separated.
- a base layer 81 may be provided between the reference electrode layer 25 and the embossed layer 33.
- the base layer 81 is not attached by an adhesive layer or the like on the reference electrode layer 25 as a lower layer, but is merely placed.
- the embossed layer 33 is bonded onto the base layer 81 with an adhesive layer or the like.
- the base layer 81 is the same as the base layer 51 in Modification 6 of the first embodiment described above.
- the sensor layer 22 and the embossed layer 33 are connected to the sensor layer 22 due to a change in environmental temperature or the like. Even when it expands and contracts in the in-plane direction, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of distortion or the like in the members constituting the sensor module 120. Therefore, the reliability of the sensor module 120 can be improved.
- the reference electrode layer 25 is a conductive base material including a base material containing a polymer resin and a conductive layer provided on the base material
- the base material is the same or substantially the same line as the embossed layer 33. You may make it have an expansion coefficient. Also in this case, the reliability of the sensor module 120 can be improved as in the seventh modification.
- the reference electrode layer 25 is a conductive base material including a conductive material and a polymer resin
- the base material may have the same or substantially the same linear expansion coefficient as the embossed layer 33. Also in this case, the reliability of the sensor module 120 can be improved as in the seventh modification.
- the sensor module 220 according to the third embodiment of the present technology is different from the sensor module 20 according to the first embodiment in that the embossed layer 233 also serves as a reference electrode layer.
- the emboss layer 233 is an emboss layer having conductivity.
- a conductive film can be used as the emboss layer 231.
- the conductive film includes, for example, a polymer resin film and a conductive layer provided on the polymer resin film.
- a metal-deposited PET film can be used as the conductive film having such a configuration.
- the sensor module 220A has two regions, a region R1 where the structure 24 is provided on the detection unit 22s and a region R2 where the structure 24 is not provided on the detection unit 22s. You may make it have.
- the distance between the sensor layer 22 and the reference electrode layer 25 varies depending on the presence or absence of the structure 24. That is, in the region R1 where the structure 24 is provided, the distance between the sensor layer 22 and the reference electrode layer 25 is increased, and the reaction force is nonlinearly changed with respect to the pushing amount (operation load).
- the region R2 where the structural body 24 is not provided the distance between the sensor layer 22 and the reference electrode layer 25 becomes shorter, and the reaction force linearly changes with respect to the pushing amount (operation load). Further, the region R2 is highly sensitive to small deformation.
- the sensor module 220A having the above-described configuration can have a plurality of capacitance changes. Specifically, the user can perform a keyboard operation in the region R1, and can perform a gesture operation (touch pad operation) in the region R2.
- the convex portion 31 includes a detection unit for detecting capacitance, that is, an X and Y electrode, and an emboss layer 333. Is different from the sensor module 20 according to the first embodiment in that it also serves as a sensor layer.
- the sensor module 320 according to the third embodiment it is not necessary to provide the sensor layer 22 between the reference electrode layer 21 and the intermediate layer 23, and a polymer resin base material 321 or the like may be provided instead. . Note that a structure obtained by inverting the above structure may be used.
- the convex portion 31 when the convex portion 31 is deformed nonlinearly, it acts in a direction in which the X and Y electrodes are separated from each other, and the capacitance change rate is increased, so that the sensor sensitivity is increased.
- the uneven film 410 according to the fifth embodiment of the present technology is a so-called embossed film, and includes a bottom surface portion 412 and a plurality of pushing portions provided so as to protrude with respect to the bottom surface portion 412. 411.
- An uneven film 410 according to the fifth embodiment of the present technology is an uneven film disposed on the capacitive sensor layer 22, and the sensors according to the first to fourth embodiments and the modifications thereof described above.
- the present invention can be applied to any of the modules 20, 120, 220, 220A, and 320.
- the bottom surface portion 412 is usually the capacitive sensor layer 22 or the intermediate layer 23 provided on the sensor layer 22. Pasted together.
- a key top layer 26 is provided on the push-in portion 411. Note that the bottom surface portion 412 may be in a state where it is not attached to the electrostatic capacitance type sensor layer 22 or the intermediate layer 23 provided on the sensor layer 22 and is only placed.
- the pushing portion 411 that is a convex portion is configured to be reversible into a concave shape by pressing the top of the pushing portion 411.
- the pushing portion 411 is a reaction force structure in which the reaction force changes nonlinearly with respect to the pushing amount (that is, with respect to the operation load).
- the plurality of pushing portions 411 are provided on the surface side of both main surfaces of the concavo-convex film 410.
- the plurality of pushing portions 411 are arranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally within the surface of the uneven film 410.
- the push-in portion 411 is a structure configured by the convex portions of the concavo-convex film 410.
- the back surface side of the pushing portion 411 is a recessed portion that is recessed so as to follow the pushing portion 411 that is a protruding portion. Therefore, the inside of the pushing-in portion 411 is a hollow space with a bottom surface opened.
- the shape of the pushing portion 411 is preferably a frustum shape. By having such a shape, the height of the pushing portion 411 can be reduced as compared with the case of having a dome shape.
- the frustum shape refers to the shape of the remaining part obtained by cutting the head of the cone in a plane parallel to the bottom surface. Examples of the frustum shape include a polygonal frustum shape such as a frustum shape, a quadrangular frustum shape, and a hexagonal frustum shape.
- the shape of the pushing part 411 is not limited to this, A shape other than this can also be employ
- the pushing portion 411 includes a top portion 411a and a buckling portion 411b that supports the top portion 411a.
- the thickness of the top portion 411a may be smaller than the thickness of the buckling portion 411b.
- the buckling portion 411b may have a conical shape or may be configured by a number of legs.
- the bottom surface portion 412 may be a flat portion or may be provided with unevenness as necessary.
- a large number of through holes may be provided in the uneven film 410.
- a material of the uneven film 410 for example, the same material as the embossed layer 33 in the first embodiment can be exemplified.
- the pushing part 411 is comprised so that it can invert to a concave shape by pressing the top part of this pushing part 411.
- FIG. Therefore, a good click feeling can be obtained while being thin.
- the uneven film 410 may further include a base portion 413 provided on the bottom side of the pushing portion 411.
- the click feeling can be improved.
- the push-in part 411 and the base part 413 are constituted by convex parts of the concavo-convex film 410.
- the side surface of the base portion 413 is erected substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface portion 412 or is inclined with respect to the bottom surface portion 412 at an inclination angle of less than 90 °. It is preferable that the outer periphery of the bottom portion of the pushing portion 411 is inscribed or substantially inscribed in the outer periphery of the top portion of the base portion 413. This is because the click feeling is further improved.
- the pushing portion 411 has a truncated cone shape or a polygonal frustum shape and the base portion 413 has a cubic shape
- the circular or polygonal outer periphery of the pushing portion 411 at the bottom is It is preferable that the base part 413 is inscribed or substantially inscribed in a square outer periphery at the top.
- the inclination angle ⁇ 1 of the side surface of the base portion 413 is larger than the inclination angle ⁇ 2 of the buckling portion 411b.
- the inclination angles ⁇ 1 and ⁇ 2 are inclination angles measured using the back surface of the bottom surface portion 412 or the surface of the sensor layer as a reference (0 °).
- a concave portion 414 extending so as to connect the adjacent pressing portions 411 and connect the pressing portion 411 and the peripheral edge of the concavo-convex film 410 is provided. May be.
- the concavo-convex film 410 When the concavo-convex film 410 is applied to the sensor module, when the concavo-convex film 410 is bonded to the sensor layer or an intermediate layer provided on the sensor layer, the concave portion 414 and the surface of the sensor layer or the intermediate layer
- the hole is configured by the above. This hole functions as a vent hole for discharging the air in the inner space of the pushing portion 411 to the outside when the pushing portion 411 is pushed.
- the recessed part 414 in the uneven
- the recessed part 414 extended so that the base part 413 and the peripheral edge of the uneven film 410 may be connected. What is necessary is just to provide.
- the key top layer 26 may be provided on the plurality of pushing portions 411.
- the concavo-convex structure 410 ⁇ / b> A is configured by the concavo-convex film 410 and the key top layer 26.
- the concavo-convex structure 410 ⁇ / b> A may further include a reference electrode layer 25 between the plurality of pushing portions 411 and the key top layer 26.
- the concavo-convex film 410 may further include a plurality of pressing bodies 32 provided on the plurality of pushing portions 411, respectively. Further, the key top layer 26 may be provided on the plurality of pressing bodies 32.
- the concavo-convex structure 410 ⁇ / b> A is configured by the concavo-convex film 410, the plurality of pressing bodies 32, and the key top layer 26.
- the uneven structure 410 ⁇ / b> A may further include a reference electrode layer 25 between the plurality of pressing bodies 32 and the key top layer 26.
- FIG. 30C shows an example in which the pressing body 32, the support layer 71, the reference electrode layer 25, and the key top layer 26 are provided on the pushing portion 411.
- the pressing body 32, the reference electrode layer 25, and the key top are illustrated.
- At least one of the layers 26 may not be provided.
- only the support layer 71 may be provided on the pushing portion 411.
- the uneven structure 420 according to the sixth embodiment of the present technology includes a base layer 421, an adhesive layer 422, and an uneven film 410 fixed on the base layer 421 via the adhesive layer 422.
- symbol is attached
- the concavo-convex structure 420 according to the sixth embodiment of the present technology is disposed on the capacitive sensor layer 22, and the sensors according to the first to fourth embodiments and the modifications thereof described above.
- the present invention can be applied to any of the modules 20, 120, 220, 220A, and 320.
- the base layer 421 is usually provided on the capacitive sensor layer 22 or an intermediate provided on the sensor layer 22. It is placed on the layer 23.
- a key top layer 26 is provided on the push-in portion 411.
- the linear expansion coefficients of the base layer 421 and the concavo-convex film 410 are the same or substantially the same.
- the base layer 421 and the concavo-convex film 410 may be made of the same material, or may be made of different materials having the same or substantially the same linear expansion coefficient.
- the base layer 421 is preferably a film. Examples of the material of the base layer 421 include the same materials as those of the embossed layer 33 in the first embodiment.
- the adhesive layer 422 is provided between the bottom surface portion 412 of the concavo-convex film and the base layer 421.
- the adhesive layer 422 has a plurality of hole portions 422a provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of push-in portions 411, respectively.
- the hole 422a is a through-hole penetrating from the front surface to the back surface of the adhesive layer 422.
- the plurality of hole portions 422 a are provided at positions overlapping the plurality of push-in portions 411, respectively.
- the pushing portion 411 is configured to be pushed into the hole 422a.
- a resin layer 423 provided between the base layer 421 and the adhesive layer 422 may be further provided.
- the resin layer 423 is, for example, a film or a coating layer.
- the resin layer 423 preferably has a plurality of hole portions 423a provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of pushing portions 411, respectively.
- the hole portion 423a is a through-hole penetrating from the front surface to the back surface of the resin layer 423.
- Each of the plurality of hole portions 423a is provided at a position overlapping with the plurality of hole portions 422a, and one hole portion 424 is configured by the hole portions 422a and 423a.
- the pushing portion 411 is configured to be pushed into the hole portion 424.
- the base layer 421 may include a plurality of hole portions 421a provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of push-in portions 411, respectively.
- the hole 421a is a through-hole penetrating from the front surface to the back surface of the base layer 421.
- Each of the plurality of hole portions 421a is provided at a position overlapping with the plurality of hole portions 422a and 423a, and one hole portion 424 is configured by the hole portions 421a, 422a, and 423a.
- the pushing portion 411 is configured to be pushed into the hole portion 424.
- the base layer 421 may include the plurality of hole portions 421a in the above-described second modification.
- one hole 424 is constituted by the holes 421a and 422a.
- the base layer 421 and the concavo-convex film 410 may be fixed by an energy ray curable resin composition such as an ultraviolet curable resin composition, or an adhesive tape, or may be fixed by thermal welding instead of the adhesive layer 422. May be.
- an energy ray curable resin composition such as an ultraviolet curable resin composition, or an adhesive tape
- Example 1-1 First, a master plate for transfer was prepared by cutting a brass plate. Next, a transfer master and a 50 ⁇ m-thick biaxially stretched PET film are overlaid, set in a high-temperature vacuum press machine, and subjected to thermal transfer, thereby having a height of 175 ⁇ m and a ⁇ (diameter) of 10 mm. Were formed on a PET film. Thereby, an embossed PET film (embossed layer) was obtained.
- a capacitive sensor layer was prepared, and a reference electrode layer was formed on the back surface of the sensor layer.
- an insulating layer and an adhesive layer were sequentially formed on the surface of the capacitive sensor by a printing method, thereby forming an intermediate layer having a thickness of 100 ⁇ m in which a plurality of holes were arranged.
- the embossed PET film was bonded onto the surface of the intermediate layer through the adhesive layer so that the plurality of structures of the embossed PET film respectively corresponded to the positions of the plurality of holes in the intermediate layer.
- a circular double-sided adhesive tape having a size (diameter) of ⁇ 6 mm and a thickness of 2 mm was prepared.
- this double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape was bonded to the top of each convex portion to form a pressing body on each convex portion.
- a key top layer in which a reference electrode layer was previously formed on the back surface was prepared, and the key top layer was bonded to the pressing body via an adhesive layer. Thereby, the target keyboard (sensor module) was obtained.
- Example 1-2 A keyboard was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1-1 except that the thickness of the intermediate layer was set to 150 ⁇ m.
- Example 2-1 A keyboard was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1-2 except that the thickness of the pressing body was set to 100 ⁇ m.
- Example 2-2 A keyboard was obtained in the same manner as in Example 2-1, except that the thickness of the pressing body was set to 150 ⁇ m.
- Example 2-3 A keyboard was obtained in the same manner as in Example 2-1, except that the thickness of the pressing body was set to 238 ⁇ m.
- Example 2-1 A keyboard was obtained in the same manner as in Example 2-1, except that the formation of the pressing body was omitted.
- Example 2-1 In Comparative Example 2-1, in which no pressing body is provided on the top of the convex portion, the maximum value P1 and the minimum value P2 do not appear in the FS curve. For this reason, the click rate cannot be defined.
- Example 2-1 In which the thickness of the pressing body is equal to or less than the thickness of the intermediate layer, the click rate is remarkably reduced.
- Example 2-2 in which the thickness of the pressing layer is equal to or greater than the thickness of the intermediate layer, the click rate is improved.
- Example 2-3 In Example 2-3 in which the thickness of the pressing layer is sufficiently larger than the thickness of the intermediate layer, the click rate is saturated and is almost equivalent to Example 2-1.
- the thickness of the pressing body is preferably equal to or greater than the thickness of the intermediate layer.
- Example 3-1 A plurality of convex portions having the shape and size shown in FIG. 23A were formed on the PET film by a thermal transfer method. Except for this, a keyboard was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1-1.
- Example 3-2 A plurality of convex portions having the shape and size shown in FIG. 23B were formed on the PET film by a thermal transfer method. A key top layer in which a reference electrode layer was previously formed was bonded onto the convex portion via an adhesive layer. Except for this, a keyboard was obtained in the same manner as in Example 3-1.
- Example 3-2 in which the pressing body is formed by shape transfer, the click rate is improved compared to Example 3-1 in which the pressing body is formed by a double-sided adhesive tape. Moreover, since P1 tends to improve, it is considered that the stiffness of the upper surface of the convex portion is increased. Therefore, as a pressing body, the thing formed by shape transfer is preferable from a viewpoint of the improvement of a click rate.
- Example 4-1 A plurality of convex portions having a shape and size such that the height of the upper convex shape is 0.12 mm among the shapes shown in FIG. 23B were formed on the PET film by the thermal transfer method. The key top layer was not bonded. Except for this, a keyboard (test piece) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 3-1.
- Example 4-2 A plurality of convex portions having the shape and size shown in FIG. 24A were formed on the PET film by a thermal transfer method. Except for this, a keyboard was obtained in the same manner as in Example 4-1.
- Example 4-2 in which a depression is provided in the center of the shape part (pressing body), the click rate tends to be lower than in Example 4-1, in which no depression is provided in the center of the shape part.
- the shape of this shape part is a simple partly projecting part or all of the top part of the convex part. It is preferable to use a simple shape.
- Example 5-1 A keyboard was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1-1 except that a biaxially stretched PET film having a thickness of 75 ⁇ m was used as the embossed film.
- Example 5-2 A plurality of convex portions having a shape and size shown in FIG. 24B (a convex portion having a base portion provided on the bottom side of the truncated cone) were formed on the PET film.
- the shape of the base portion was a square shape having a size of 10 mm in length and 10 mm in width when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the surface of the PET film.
- the bottom diameter of the truncated cone is 10 mm, and when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the surface of the PET film, the outer periphery on the bottom side of the truncated cone is in contact with the outer periphery of the base. Except for this, a keyboard was obtained in the same manner as in Example 5-1.
- the shape of the base portion was a square shape having a size of 12 mm in length and 12 mm in width when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the surface of the PET film. That is, when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the surface of the PET film, the outer periphery on the bottom side of the frustoconical shape is located away from the outer periphery of the base portion and is located inside. Except for this, a keyboard was obtained in the same manner as in Example 5-2.
- Example 5-2 in which the hole is formed by the combination of the intermediate layer and the base portion of the convex portion, the click rate is improved as compared with Example 5-1 in which the hole is formed only by the intermediate layer.
- Example 5-3 in which the outer periphery on the bottom side of the frustoconical part is located on the inner side away from the outer periphery of the base part, the outer periphery on the bottom side of the frustoconical part is in contact with the outer periphery of the base part as compared with Example 5-2.
- the click rate decreases. Such a tendency is similarly observed when the hole is formed only by the intermediate layer, and the inner periphery on the bottom side of the structure is positioned on the inner side away from the outer periphery of the hole of the intermediate layer.
- the input device is a keyboard having a plurality of keys
- the input device may be a switch or a button having one key.
- the intermediate layer and the sensor layer may not be attached. Further, a member such as a backlight may be provided between the intermediate layer and the sensor layer.
- the present technology can also employ the following configurations.
- a flexible conductor layer A plurality of structures whose reaction force changes nonlinearly with the amount of indentation; A capacitive sensor layer; An intermediate layer provided between the plurality of structures and the sensor layer, The intermediate layer is an input device having a plurality of holes into which the plurality of structures are respectively pushed.
- the said structure is an input device as described in (1) provided with a convex part and the press body provided in the top part of the said convex part.
- the input device according to (3) wherein the shape is a part or all of the top portion of the convex portion protruding uniformly.
- the thickness of the said pressing body is an input device as described in (2) or (3) which is more than the depth of the said hole, and below the height of the said convex-shaped part.
- (6) The input device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein a top portion of the structure is thicker than a buckling portion of the structure.
- the structure has a side surface standing or inclined with respect to the surface of the intermediate layer, a base portion having a square outer periphery, and a convex shape having a truncated cone shape provided on the base portion.
- the input device according to (12) wherein an outer periphery on a bottom side of the convex portion is substantially in contact with an outer periphery of the base portion.
- a support portion that supports the conductor layer is provided around the structure.
- a space is provided between the top of the structure and the conductor layer.
- the plurality of structures are constituted by an embossed layer,
- the input device according to (12), wherein the base layer has the same or substantially the same linear expansion coefficient as the embossed layer.
- the sensor layer includes a base material, The plurality of structures are constituted by an embossed layer, The input device according to (12), wherein the base material has the same or substantially the same linear expansion coefficient as the embossed layer.
- a base layer provided between the plurality of structures and the conductor layer; The plurality of structures are constituted by an embossed layer, The input device according to (13), wherein the base layer has the same or substantially the same linear expansion coefficient as the embossed layer.
- the conductor layer includes a base material, The plurality of structures are constituted by an embossed layer, The input device according to (13), wherein the base material has the same or substantially the same linear expansion coefficient as the embossed layer.
- the structure includes a convex part, a first pressing body provided on the top of the convex part, and a second pressing body provided on the first pressing body (1) to (18).
- the first pressing body is configured by a shape given to the top of the convex portion,
- a key top layer containing multiple keys The input device according to any one of (1) to (18) and (21) to (28), further comprising: a plurality of support layers respectively provided between the plurality of structures and the key top layer.
- a keyboard comprising the input device according to any one of (21) to (29).
- An electronic apparatus comprising the input device according to any one of (21) to (29).
- a flexible conductor layer A plurality of structures whose reaction force changes nonlinearly with the amount of indentation; A capacitive sensor layer; An intermediate layer provided between the plurality of structures and the sensor layer, The intermediate layer is a sensor having a plurality of holes into which the plurality of structures are respectively pushed.
- a flexible conductor layer A structure whose reaction force changes nonlinearly with the amount of pushing, A capacitive sensor layer; An intermediate layer provided between the structure and the sensor layer, The said intermediate
- the pushing portion is a concavo-convex film constituted by a convex portion among the concavo-convex portions.
- the pushing portion further includes a base portion provided on the bottom side of the pushing portion, The indented film according to (34), wherein the indented portion and the base portion are constituted by convex portions of the irregularities.
- the pushing portion has a frustum shape,
- the basal part is the uneven film according to (35) having a rectangular parallelepiped shape.
- the outer periphery of the bottom part of the said pushing part is an uneven
- corrugated film in any one of (34) to (38) further provided with the press body provided on the said pushing-in part.
- the push-in portion is a concavo-convex structure formed by convex portions of the concavo-convex portions.
- the pushing portion further includes a base portion provided on the bottom side of the pushing portion, The concavo-convex structure according to any one of (42) to (49), wherein the push-in portion and the base portion are configured by convex portions of the concavo-convex portions.
- the pushing portion has a frustum shape
- the concavo-convex structure according to (50) wherein the base portion has a rectangular parallelepiped shape.
- the outer periphery of the bottom of the push-in portion is the concavo-convex structure according to (50) or (51), which is inscribed or substantially inscribed in the outer periphery of the top of the base portion.
- the uneven structure according to (55) further comprising a plurality of support layers respectively provided between the plurality of pushing portions and the key top layer.
Abstract
Description
可撓性を有する導体層と、
押し込み量に対して反力が非線形変化する複数の構造体と、
静電容量式のセンサ層と、
複数の構造体とセンサ層の間に設けられた中間層と
を備え、
中間層は、複数の構造体がそれぞれ押し込まれる複数の孔部を有する入力装置である。
可撓性を有する導体層と、
押し込み量に対して反力が非線形変化する複数の構造体と、
静電容量式のセンサ層と、
複数の構造体とセンサ層の間に設けられた中間層と
を備え、
中間層は、複数の構造体がそれぞれ押し込まれる複数の孔部を有するセンサである。
可撓性を有する導体層と、
押し込み量に対して反力が非線形変化する構造体と、
静電容量式のセンサ層と、
構造体とセンサ層の間に設けられた中間層と
を備え、
中間層は、構造体がそれぞれ押し込まれる孔部を有するセンサである。
可撓性を有する導体層と、
押し込み量に対して反力が非線形変化する複数の構造体と、
静電容量式のセンサ層と、
複数の構造体とセンサ層の間に設けられた中間層と
を備え、
中間層は、複数の構造体がそれぞれ押し込まれる複数の孔部を有するキーボードである。
可撓性を有する導体層と、
押し込み量に対して反力が非線形変化する複数の構造体と、
静電容量式のセンサ層と、
複数の構造体とセンサ層の間に設けられた中間層と
を備える入力装置を含み、
中間層は、複数の構造体がそれぞれ押し込まれる複数の孔部を有する電子機器である。
1.第1の実施形態(複数の構造体をリファレンス電極層と中間層の間に設けた例)
2.第2の実施形態(リファレンス電極層を複数の構造体と中間層の間に設けた例)
3.第3の実施形態(エンボス層がリファレンス電極層を兼ねる例)
4.第4の実施形態(エンボス層がセンサ層を兼ねる例)
5.第5の実施形態(凹凸フィルムの例)
6.第6の実施形態(凹凸構造体の例)
[電子機器の構成]
図1に示すように、電子機器10は、キーボード11と、電子機器10の本体であるホスト12と、表示装置13とを備える。なお、図1では、キーボード11が電子機器10内に設けられ、両者が一体となっている構成が示されているが、キーボード11が電子機器10の外部に周辺機器として設けられている構成を採用してもよい。また、表示装置13が電子機器10内に設けられ、両者が一体となっている構成が示されているが、表示装置13が電子機器10の外部に周辺機器として設けられている構成を採用してもよい。
キーボード11は、入力装置の一例であり、センサモジュール(センサ)20と、コントローラIC(Integrated Circuit)14とを備える。センサモジュール20は、キー入力操作20aとジェスチャー入力操作20bの両操作を行うことができる。センサモジュール20は、入力操作に応じた静電容量の変化を検出し、それに応じた電気信号をコントローラIC14に出力する。コントローラIC14は、センサモジュール20から供給される電気信号に基づき、センサモジュール20に対してなされた操作に対応した情報をホスト12に出力する。例えば、押圧したキーに関する情報(例えばスキャンコード)、座標情報などを出力する。
ホスト12は、キーボード11から供給される情報に基づき、各種の処理を実効する。例えば、表示装置13に対する文字情報の表示や、表示装置13に表示されたカーソルの移動などの処理を実行する。
表示装置13は、ホスト12から供給される映像信号や制御信号などに基づき、映像(画面)を表示する。表示装置13としては、例えば、液晶ディスプレイ、エレクトロルミネッセンス(Electro Luminescence:EL)ディスプレイ、CRT(Cathode Ray Tube)ディスプレイ、プラズマディスプレイ(Plasma Display Panel:PDP)などが挙げられるが、これに限定されるものではない。
以下、図2A、図2Bを参照して、センサモジュール20の構成の一例について説明する。センサモジュール20は、第1の導体層としてのリファレンス電極層21と、センサ層22と、中間層(スペーサ層)23と、複数の構造体24と、第2の導体層としてのリファレンス電極層25と、キートップ層26とを備える。以下では、センサモジュール20およびその構成要素(構成部材)の両主面のうち、操作面側となる主面を表面(第1の面)といい、それとは反対側の主面を裏面(第2の面)と適宜称する。
リファレンス電極層21は、センサモジュール20の裏面を構成し、リファレンス電極26とセンサモジュール20の厚さ方向に対向して配置される。リファレンス電極層21は、例えば、センサ層22およびリファレンス電極層25などよりも高い曲げ剛性を有し、センサモジュール20の支持プレートとして機能する。リファレンス電極層21としては、例えば、Al合金またはMg合金などの金属材料を含む金属板、カーボン繊維強化型プラスチックなどの導体板、プラスチック材料などを含む絶縁体層上にメッキ膜、蒸着膜、スパッタリング膜または金属箔などの導電層を形成した積層体を用いることができる。リファレンス電極層21は、例えばグランド電位に接続される。
センサ層22は、リファレンス電極層21とリファレンス電極層25との間に設けられ、操作面側となるリファレンス電極層25との距離の変化を静電的に検出することが可能である。具体的には、センサ層22は、複数の検出部を含み、この複数の検出部が、リファレンス電極層25との距離に応じて変化する静電容量を検出する。
複数の構造体24は、凸状部31と、この凸状部31の頂部31aに設けられた押圧体32とを備える。複数の構造体24は、リファレンス電極層25と中間層23との間に設けられている。複数の構造体24により、リファレンス電極層25と中間層23との間が離間され、所定のスペースが設けられる。凸状部31は、凹凸層であるエンボス層33により構成されている。凸状部31は、中間層23の表面に設けられた、凹凸層であるエンボス層33の凸状の部分である。凸状部31の裏面側は窪んでおり、凸状部31の内部は中空状となっている。凸状部31間には平坦部34が設けられ、この平坦部34が、例えば中間層23に対して貼り合わされるなどして、複数の構造体24が中間層23の表面に固定されている。キートップ層26に含まれる複数のキー26aはそれぞれ、複数の構造体24上に設けられている。
中間層23は、中間層23の本体層23bと、この本体層23bの表面に設けられた粘着層23cとを備える。中間層23は、複数の孔部23aを有している。孔部23aは、中間層23の表面から裏面に貫通する貫通孔である。複数の孔部23aはそれぞれ、複数の構造体24の直下に設けられている。すなわち、複数の孔部23aはそれぞれ、中間層23の表面に対して垂直な方向から見ると、複数の構造体24と重なる位置に設けられている。これにより、キー入力操作を行った場合に、凸状部31の頂部31aが反転して、孔部23aに入り込むことができる。中間層23は、例えば、スクリーン印刷や成型フィルムなどにより構成される。中間層23の厚さは、例えば100μmである。
キートップ層26としては、例えば、樹脂フィルム、柔軟性を有する金属板などを用いることができる。キートップ層26の表面(その入力側となる側の面)には、複数のキー26aが配列されている。キー26aには、文字、記号、機能などが印字されている。このキー26aを押したり離したりすることにより、コントローラIC14からホスト12に対してスキャンコートなどの情報が出力される。
コントローラIC14は、センサモジュール20から供給される、静電容量の変化に応じた電気信号に基づき、操作面に対してジェスチャーおよびキー入力操作のいずれかが行われたかを判断し、その判断結果に応じた情報をホスト12に出力する。具体的には、コントローラIC14は、2つの閾値A、Bを有し、これらの閾値A、Bに基づき上記判断を行う。例えば、ジェスチャー入力操作が行われたと判断した場合には、座標情報をホスト12に出力する。また、キー入力操作が行われたと判断した場合には、スキャンコードなどのキーに関する情報をホスト12に出力する。
以下、図7A、図7Bを参照して、ジェスチャーおよびキー入力操作時におけるセンサモジュール20の動作の一例について説明する。
センサモジュール20の表面(操作面)に対してジェスチャー入力操作を行うと、図7Aに示すように、構造体24の形状が僅かに変形して、初期位置から下方に距離D1変位する。これにより、センサ層22とリファレンス電極層25との距離が僅かにD1変化し、単位電極体42m、43m間の静電容量が僅かに変化する。センサ層22内の検出部22sにて、この静電容量変化が検出されて、電気信号としてコントローラIC14に出力される。
センサモジュール20の表面(操作面)に対してキー入力操作を行うと、図7Bに示すように、凸状部31が反転して、初期位置から距離D2変位する。これにより、センサ層22とリファレンス電極層25との距離が大きくD2変化し、単位電極体42m、43m間の静電容量が大きく変化する。センサ層22内の検出部22sにて、この静電容量変化が検出されて、電気信号としてコントローラIC14に出力される。
上述の構成を有するセンサモジュール20では、構造体24は、図8Aに示すように、操作者に対する反力がリファレンス電極層25の移動量に対して非線形に変化する機能を持っている。具体的には、構造体24は、操作者の押込みに応じて反力が増加しP1で極大値まで上昇し、さらに押込み量を増やすと極小値P2まで反力が減少し、押込み変形の限界点まで押し込むと再び反力が増加する機能を持っている。
以下、図9を参照して、コントローラIC14の動作の一例について説明する。
まず、ステップS1において、ユーザがキーボード11の操作面に対して入力操作が行われると、ステップS2において、コントローラIC14は、センサモジュール20から供給される、静電容量の変化に応じた電気信号に基づき、静電容量変化が閾値A以上であるか否かを判断する。ステップS2にて静電容量変化が閾値A以上であると判断された場合には、ステップS3において、コントローラIC14は、スキャンコードなどのキーに関する情報をホスト12に出力する。これにより、キー入力が行われる。一方、ステップS2にて静電容量変化が閾値A以上でないと判断された場合には、処理はステップS4に移行する。
第1の実施形態に係る電子機器10では、キーボード11の操作面にキー入力とジェスチャーカーソル操作の2つの機能を持たせることができる。これにより、キーボード機能とタッチパッド機能を狭い面積で実装することができる。また、キー入力後大きく手を移動させることなく、その場でジェスチャー入力することが可能となり、ユーザビリティが向上する。また、薄い構造ながら、大きいクリック感、ストロークが得られる。
(変形例1)
上述の第1の実施形態では、図2に示したように、凸状部31がその頂部31aに押圧体32を備える構成を例として説明したが、凸状部31の構成はこの例に限定されるものではない。以下に、凸状部31の頂部31aのスティフネスを高くすることで、クリック感を向上でき、かつ動作荷重を上昇できる例について説明する。
図11に示すように、座屈部31bの厚さを頂部31aの厚さに比して薄くするようにしてもよい。
図13に示すように、構造体24は、中間層23の表面に対してほぼ垂直に立設された側面、または中間層23の表面に対して90°未満の傾斜角で傾斜された側面を有する基底部36と、基底部36上に当該基底部36の外周に底部側の外周がほぼ接するように設けられた凸状部31とを備える。より具体的には、構造体24は、中間層23の表面に対してほぼ垂直に立設された側面、または中間層23の表面に対して90°未満の傾斜角で傾斜された側面を有すると共に、正方形状の外周を有する基底部36と、基底部36上に設けられた、円錐台形状を有する凸状部31とを備える。これにより、基底部36の角の部分で変形することができるので、クリック感が向上する。凸状部31の底部側の外周は、基底部36の外周にほぼ接していることが好ましい。クリック感が更に向上するからである。図14A、図14Bに示すように、通気孔35は、基底部36の側面に設けられている。
図15Aに示すように、リファレンス電極層25を支持する複数の支持体37を、平坦部34の表面上に設けるようにしてもよい。この支持体37により、リファレンス電極層25と中間層23との間が離間され、所定のスペースが設けられる。支持体37は、構造体24の周囲に連続して設けられた壁部であってもよいし、所定の間隔を離して不連続に設けられた柱状体であってもよい。支持体37の下端に粘着層37aが設けられ、この粘着層37aを介して支持体37が平坦部34の表面に貼り合わされていてもよい。また、支持体37の上端に粘着層37bが設けられ、この粘着層37bを介して支持体37がリファレンス電極層25の裏面に貼り合わされていてもよい。支持体37の材料としては、例えば、高分子樹脂材料が用いられる。高分子樹脂材料としては、紫外線硬化樹脂などの光硬化性樹脂を用いることが好ましい。支持体37の弾性率は特に限定されず、目的とする検出感度などが得られる範囲で適宜選択可能である。
上述の第1の実施形態では、X、Y電極が基材の同一面内に設けられた構成を例として説明したが、X、Y電極の構成はこの例に限定されるものではない。例えば、ストライプ状のX、Y電極が所定間隔離して直交交差された構成を採用するようにしてもよい。この場合、X、Y電極は、細長い矩形状の電極であってもよいし、線状の複数の電極要素により構成された電極であってもよい。
図25Aに示すように、センサモジュール20が、センサ層22と中間層23との間に設けられた基底層51をさらに備えるようにしてもよい。基底層51は、その下層となるセンサ層22上に粘着層などにより貼り合わされず、載置されているのみの状態である。また、基底層51は、エンボス層33と同一またはほぼ同一の線膨張係数を有している。基底層51およびエンボス層33は同一の材料により構成されていてもよいし、同一またはほぼ同一の線膨張係数を有する異なる材料により構成されていてもよい。
図25Bに示すように、基底層51は、凸状部31の頂部31aを押し込むことが可能な複数の孔部51aを有していてもよい。孔部51aは、基底層51の表面から裏面に貫通する貫通孔である。複数の孔部51aはそれぞれ、複数の構造体24の直下に設けられている。すなわち、センサモジュール20の表面(操作面)に対して垂直な方向から見て、孔部23a、51aは重なる位置に設けられている。基底層51の孔部51aと中間層23の孔部23aとによって、1つの孔部52が構成されている。したがって、キー入力操作を行った場合に、凸状部31の頂部31aが反転して孔部52に入り込むことができる。なお、孔部23a、51aは、凸状部31の頂部31aを押し込むことが可能なものであればよく、同一の形状および大きさを有していなくてもよい。
第1の実施形態において、センサ層22に含まれる基材41(図3、図5B参照)が、エンボス層33と同一またはほぼ同一の線膨張係数を有するようにしてもよい。この場合にも、変形例6と同様に、センサモジュール20の信頼性を向上することができる。
図26に示すように、構造体61が凸状部31の頂部31aに2つの押圧体62、63を備えるようにしてもよい。第2押圧体としての押圧体63は、第1押圧体としての押圧体62上に設けられている。
図27に示すように、センサモジュール20が、構造体61とリファレンス電極層25との間に設けられた支持層71をさらに備えるようにしてもよい。この構成を採用することにより、キートップ層26の表面を指などで触れたときなどに、キートップ層26を介して感じる構造体24の粒々感を抑制できる。
センサモジュールが2層以上の積層構造のエンボス層を備え、キーに対応するキー操作エリアに対して2個以上の凸状部が配置されるとともに、その2個以上の凸状部が2層以上の層に分けて配置されていてもよい。また、単層構造のエンボス層を備え、キーに対応するキー操作エリアに対して2個以上の凸状部が配置されるとともに、その2個以上の凸状部がセンサ層の面内方向に配置されていてもよい。なお、キー操作エリアは、キーの操作面に対応するエリアを意味する。
[センサモジュールの構成]
図16に示すように、本技術の第2の実施形態に係るセンサモジュール120は、中間層23と複数の構造体24との間、すなわち中間層23とエンボス層33との間にリファレンス電極層25を備える点において、第1の実施形態とは異なっている。構造体24は、センサモジュール120の表面(操作面)に対して垂直な方向から見ると、中間層23の孔部23aの内側に設けられている。より具体的には、凸状部31の座屈部31bの下部が、孔部23aの外周の内側の位置に設けられている。エンボス層33は、粘着層などを介してリファレンス電極層25に貼り合わされている状態であってもよいし、粘着層などを介して貼り合わされず、リファレンス電極層25上に載置されているのみの状態であってもよい。
以下、図17A、図17Bを参照して、ジェスチャーおよびキー入力操作時におけるセンサモジュール120の動作の一例について説明する。
センサモジュール120の表面(操作面)に対してジェスチャー入力操作を行うと、図17Aに示すように、凸状部31の座屈部31bの下部によりリファレンス電極層25が押されて、リファレンス電極層25のうち孔部23aの外周近傍上に位置する部分が、中間層23の孔部23aに僅かに落ち込む。これにより、センサ層22とリファレンス電極層25との距離が僅かにD1変化し、単位電極体42m、43m間の静電容量に僅かに変化が生じる。センサ層22内の検出部22sにて、この静電容量変化が検出されて、電気信号としてコントローラIC14に出力される。
センサモジュール120の表面(操作面)に対してキー入力操作を行うと、図17Bに示すように、凸状部31が反転して、その頂部31aにリファレンス電極層25が押されて、リファレンス電極層25のうち孔部23a上に位置する部分が、中間層23の孔部23a内に落ち込む。この際、反転した凸状部31の頂部31aも中間層23の孔部23a内に落ち込むようにしてもよい。これにより、センサ層22とリファレンス電極層25との距離が大きくD2変化し、単位電極体42m、43m間の静電容量が大きく変化する。センサ層22内の検出部22sにて、この静電容量変化が検出されて、電気信号としてコントローラIC14に出力される。
第1の実施形態に係るセンサモジュール20では、センサ層22とリファレンス電極層25との距離を一定にするという要請から、プロセス的にギャップ規制する必要がある。一方、第2の実施形態に係るセンサモジュール120では、複数の構造体24などをリファレンス電極層25上に貼るだけでよいので、ギャップ規制はいらず、プロセスが容易となる。また、層厚を増やさずに、キー高さ、すなわち構造体24の高さを得ることも容易である。
(変形例1)
図18Aに示すように、キー毎に縁切りされて分離されたキートップ層27を設けるようにしてもよい。キートップ層27は、例えば可撓性を有する一枚のフィルムから構成される。このフィルムは、各構造体24に対応する位置に設けられた複数の凹部27aを有する。この凹部27aに構造体24が収容される。このようなキートップ層27を設けた場合にも、図18B、図18Cに示すように、ジェスチャーおよびキー入力操作時においてセンサモジュール120は、第2の実施形態のものと同様に動作する。
図19に示すように、凸状部31の頂部31aが、リファレンス電極層25に対向する裏面側に突出部33bを有するようにしてもよい。また、中間層23の孔部23aに1または複数の支持体28を設けるようにしてもよい。この支持体28は、例えばその頂部に設けられた粘着層28aを介してリファレンス電極層25の裏面に貼り合わされる。
上述の第2の実施形態に係るセンサモジュール120において、上述の第1の実施形態の変形例1または2における構造体24の構成を採用するようにしてもよい。
上述の第2の実施形態に係るセンサモジュール120において、上述の第1の実施形態の変形例9における構造体、または変形例10における支持層の構成を採用するようにしてもよい。
図28に示すように、リファレンス電極層25とエンボス層33との間に基底層81を備えるようにしてもよい。基底層81は、その下層となるリファレンス電極層25上に粘着層などにより貼り合わされず、載置されているのみの状態である。エンボス層33は、粘着層などにより基底層81上に貼り合わされている。基底層81は、上述の第1の実施形態の変形例6における基底層51と同様である。
リファレンス電極層25が、高分子樹脂を含む基材とこの基材上に設けられた導電層とを備える導電性基材である場合、この基材が、エンボス層33と同一またはほぼ同一の線膨張係数を有するようにしてもよい。この場合にも、変形例7と同様に、センサモジュール120の信頼性を向上することができる。
図20Aに示すように、本技術の第3の実施形態に係るセンサモジュール220は、エンボス層233がリファレンス電極層を兼ねている点において、第1の実施形態に係るセンサモジュール20とは異なっている。エンボス層233は、導電性を有するエンボス層である。エンボス層231としては、例えば導電性フィルムを用いることができる。導電性フィルムは、例えば、高分子樹脂フィルムと、この高分子樹脂フィルム上に設けられた導電層とを備える。このような構成を有する導電性フィルムとしては、例えば金属蒸着PETフィルムなどを用いることができる。
(変形例1)
図20Bに示すように、センサモジュール220Aが、検出部22s上に構造体24が設けられている領域R1と、検出部22s上に構造体24が設けられていない領域R2との2つの領域を有するようにしてもよい。領域R1、R2では、構造体24の有無により、センサ層22と、リファレンス電極層25との距離が異なるものとなる。すなわち、構造体24が設けられている領域R1では、センサ層22とリファレンス電極層25との距離が遠くなるとともに、押し込み量(操作荷重)に対して反力が非線形変化する。一方、構造体24が設けられていない領域R2では、センサ層22とリファレンス電極層25との距離が近くなるとともに、押し込み量(操作荷重)に対して反力が線形変化する。また、領域R2では、小さい変形に対して高感度である。
上述の第3の実施形態に係るセンサモジュール220において、上述の第1の実施形態の変形例1または2における構造体24の構成を採用するようにしてもよい。また、第2の実施形態の変形例1におけるキートップ層27の構成を採用するようにしてもよい。
図21に示すように、本技術の第3の実施形態に係るセンサモジュール320は、凸状部31が、静電容量を検出するための検出部、すなわちX、Y電極を含み、エンボス層333がセンサ層を兼ねている点において、第1の実施形態に係るセンサモジュール20とは異なっている。第3の実施形態に係るセンサモジュール320では、リファレンス電極層21と中間層23との間にセンサ層22を設ける必要はなく、それに代えて高分子樹脂基材321などを設けるようしてもよい。なお、上記構造を反転した構造とすることも可能である。
[凹凸フィルムの構成]
図29Aに示すように、本技術の第5の実施形態に係る凹凸フィルム410は、いわゆるエンボスフィルムであり、底面部412と、底面部412に対して突出するように設けられた複数の押し込み部411とを備えている。
上述の第5の実施形態に係る凹凸フィルムでは、押し込み部411は、この押し込み部411の頂部を押圧することにより、凹状に反転可能に構成されている。したがって、薄い厚さながら良好なクリック感が得られる。
(変形例1)
図29Bに示すように、凹凸フィルム410は、押し込み部411の底の側に設けられた基底部413をさらに備えるようにしてもよい。このような構成を採用した場合、クリック感を向上できる。
図29Cに示すように、凹凸フィルム410の裏面側には、隣り合う押し込み部411間を繋ぐとともに、押し込み部411と凹凸フィルム410の周縁とを繋ぐように延設された凹部414が設けられていてもよい。
図30Aに示すように、複数の押し込み部411上にキートップ層26が設けられていてもよい。この場合、凹凸フィルム410とキートップ層26とにより、凹凸構造体410Aが構成される。凹凸構造体410Aは、複数の押し込み部411とキートップ層26との間にリファレンス電極層25をさらに備えるようにしてもよい。
図30Bに示すように、凹凸フィルム410が、複数の押し込み部411上にそれぞれ設けられた複数の押圧体32をさらに備えるようにしてもよい。また、複数の押圧体32上にキートップ層26が設けられていてもよい。この場合、凹凸フィルム410と複数の押圧体32とキートップ層26とにより、凹凸構造体410Aが構成される。この凹凸構造体410Aは、複数の押圧体32とキートップ層26との間にリファレンス電極層25をさらに備えるようにしてもよい。
図30Cに示すように、複数の押圧体32とキートップ層26との間にそれぞれ設けられた複数の支持層71をさらに備えるようにしてもよい。この構成を採用した場合には、キートップ層26の表面を指などで触れたときなどに、キートップ層26を介して感じる押し込み部411の粒々感を抑制できる。図30Cでは、押し込み部411上に押圧体32、支持層71、リファレンス電極層25およびキートップ層26が設けられている例が示されているが、押圧体32、リファレンス電極層25およびキートップ層26のうちの少なくとも1種を設けないようにしてもよく、例えば押し込み部411上に支持層71のみが設けられるようにしてもよい。
[凹凸構造体の構成]
図31Aに示すように、本技術の第6の実施形態に係る凹凸構造体420は、基底層421と、粘着層422と、粘着層422を介して基底層421上に固定された凹凸フィルム410とを備える。なお、第6の実施形態において第5の実施形態と同様の箇所には同一の符号を付して説明を省略する。
(変形例1)
図31Bに示すように、基底層421と粘着層422との間に設けられた樹脂層423をさらに備えるようにしてもよい。樹脂層423は、例えばフィルムまたはコーティング層である。樹脂層423は、複数の押し込み部411それぞれに対応する位置に設けられた複数の孔部423aを有していることが好ましい。孔部423aは、樹脂層423の表面から裏面に貫通する貫通孔である。複数の孔部423aはそれぞれ、複数の孔部422aと重なる位置に設けられ、孔部422a、423aによって、1つの孔部424が構成されている。押し込み部411は、この孔部424に押し込み可能に構成されている。
図31Cに示すように、基底層421は、複数の押し込み部411それぞれに対応する位置に設けられた複数の孔部421aを有していてもよい。孔部421aは、基底層421の表面から裏面に貫通する貫通孔である。複数の孔部421aはそれぞれ、複数の孔部422a、423aと重なる位置に設けられ、孔部421a、422a、423aによって、1つの孔部424が構成されている。押し込み部411は、この孔部424に押し込み可能に構成されている。
第6の実施形態に係る凹凸構造体420において、基底層421が、上述の変形例2における複数の孔部421aを有するようにしてもよい。この場合、孔部421a、422aによって、1つの孔部424が構成される。
基底層421と凹凸フィルム410とが、紫外線硬化性樹脂組成物などのエネルギー線硬化性樹脂組成物、または粘着テープなどにより固定されていてもよし、粘着層422に代えて熱溶着により固定されていてもよい。
第6の実施形態およびその変形例1~4に係る凹凸構造体420において、第5の実施形態の変形例1~5と同様の構成を採用してもよい。
i.中間層の厚さと距離-圧力カーブの関係
ii.押圧体の厚さと距離-圧力カーブの関係
iii.押圧体の種類とクリック感の関係
iv.押圧体の形状とクリック感の関係
v.構造体の基底部とクリック感の関係
(実施例1-1)
まず、真鍮板を切削加工することにより、転写用原盤を作製した。次に、転写用原盤と厚さ50μmの2軸延伸PETフィルムとを重ね合わせて、高温真空プレス機にセットし、熱転写を行うことにより、高さ175μm、φ(直径)10mmを有する、円錐台形の複数の凸状部をPETフィルムに形成した。これにより、エンボスPETフィルム(エンボス層)が得られた。
中間層の厚さを150μmに設定する以外のことは実施例1-1と同様にして、キーボードを得た。
中間層の形成を省略する以外のことは実施例1-1と同様にして、キーボードを得た。
上述のようにして得られた実施例1-1、1-2、比較例1-1のキーボードに対して以下の評価を行った。
ロボットを用いて1mm/sでz方向(入力面に垂直な方向)にロボットを動かし、ロボットに取り付けた圧子(シリコーン製の擬似指、φ6mm)でサンプルを圧迫した。その際に圧子にかかる圧力をロードセルで計測した。これにより、距離-圧力カーブ(以下「F-Sカーブ」という。)を得た。その結果を図22Aに示す。次に、初めに現れる極大値をP1とし、その後に現れる極小値をP2として、クリック量(P1-P2)およびクリック率((P1-P2)/P1)を求めて、クリック感の指標とした。
上記ロボットを用いてサンプルに荷重をかけた時の静電容量変化を測定した。その結果、操作者に対する反力と静電容量変化との関係は、図8Cに示したようなカーブとなることがわかった。
中間層を形成した実施例1、2では、F-Sカーブに極大値P1、極小値P2が現れている。これは、中間層の形成により、構造体が反転できるようになったためである。一方、中間層を形成しなかった比較例1では、F-Sカーブに極大値P1、極小値P2が現れない。これは、中間層を形成していないため、構造体が反転できるようにならなかったからである。したがって、極大値P1、極小値P2があるF-Sカーブを得るためには、中間層の形成が必要であることがわかる。
(実施例2-1)
押圧体の厚さを100μmに設定する以外のことは実施例1-2と同様にして、キーボードを得た。
押圧体の厚さを150μmに設定する以外のことは実施例2-1と同様にして、キーボードを得た。
押圧体の厚さを238μmに設定する以外のことは実施例2-1と同様にして、キーボードを得た。
押圧体の形成を省略する以外のことは実施例2-1と同様にして、キーボードを得た。
(クリック感)
上述のようにして得られた実施例2-1~2-3、比較例2-1のキーボードのクリック感を、実施例1-1と同様にして評価した。その結果を図22Bに示す。
凸状部の頂部に押圧体が設けられていない比較例2-1では、F-Sカーブに極大値P1、極小値P2が現れない。このため、クリック率は定義できない。押圧体の厚さが、中間層の厚さ以下である実施例2-1では、クリック率が著しく減少する。押圧層の厚さが中間層の厚さ以上である実施例2-2では、クリック率が向上する。押圧層の厚さが中間層の厚さより十分に大きい実施例2-3では、クリック率は飽和し、実施例2-1とほぼ同等である。
(実施例3-1)
熱転写法により、図23Aに示す形状およびサイズを有する複数の凸状部をPETフィルムに形成した。これ以外のことは実施例1-1と同様にして、キーボードを得た。
熱転写法により、図23Bに示す形状およびサイズを有する複数の凸状部をPETフィルムに形成した。この凸状部上に粘着層を介して、リファレンス電極層が予め形成されたキートップ層を貼り合わせた。これ以外のことは実施例3-1と同様にして、キーボードを得た。
(クリック感)
上述のようにして得られた実施例3-1、3-2のキーボードのクリック感を、実施例1-1と同様にして評価した。その結果を表1に示す。
押圧体を形状転写により形成した実施例3-2では、押圧体を両面粘着テープにより形成した実施例3-1に比してクリック率が向上する。また、P1が向上する傾向があることから、凸状部の上面のスティフネスが上昇していると考えられる。
したがって、押圧体としては、クリック率の向上の観点からすると、形状転写により形成されたものが好ましい。
(実施例4-1)
熱転写法により、図23Bに示す形状のうち、上部の凸形状の高さが0.12mmであるような形状およびサイズを有する複数の凸状部をPETフィルムに形成した。キートップ層は貼り合わせなかった。これ以外のことは実施例3-1と同様にして、キーボード(テストピース)を得た。
熱転写法により、図24Aに示す形状およびサイズを有する複数の凸状部をPETフィルムに形成した。これ以外のことは実施例4-1と同様にして、キーボードを得た。
(クリック感)
上述のようにして得られた実施例4-1、4-2のキーボードのクリック感を、実施例1-1と同様にして評価した。その結果を表2に示す。
形状部(押圧体)の中央に窪みを設けた実施例4-2では、形状部の中央に窪みを設けていない実施例4-1に比してクリック率が低下する傾向がある。これは、形状部の中央に窪みを設けて形状部の形状を複雑にすると、押圧時の底付きがはやく起きるため、ストロークが減少し、P2が上昇するためであると考えられる。
したがって、凸状部の頂部に形状部を形成する場合、クリック率の向上の観点からすると、この形状部の形状としては、凸状部の頂部の一部または全部を一様に突出させたシンプルな形状を用いることが好ましい。
(実施例5-1)
エンボスフィルムとして厚さ75μmの2軸延伸PETフィルムを用いる以外のことは実施例1-1と同様にしてキーボードを得た。
図24Bに示す形状およびサイズを有する複数の凸状部(円錐台形のボトム側に基底部が設けられた凸状部)をPETフィルムに形成した。基底部の形状は、PETフィルムの表面に垂直な方向から見ると、縦10mm、横10mmのサイズの正方形状とした。また、円錐台形の底面径は10mmとして、PETフィルムの表面に垂直な方向から見ると、円錐台形の底部側の外周が基底部の外周に接するものとした。これ以外のことは実施例5-1と同様にして、キーボードを得た。
基底部の形状は、PETフィルムの表面に垂直な方向から見ると、縦12mm、横12mmのサイズの正方形状とした。すなわち、PETフィルムの表面に垂直な方向から見ると、円錐台形の底部側の外周が基底部の外周から離れて内側に位置するものとした。これ以外のことは実施例5-2と同様にして、キーボードを得た。
(クリック感)
上述のようにして得られた実施例5-1~5-3のキーボードのクリック感を、実施例1-1と同様にして評価した。その結果を表2に示す。
中間層と凸状部の基底部との組合せで孔部を形成した実施例5-2では、中間層のみにより孔部を形成した実施例5-1に比して、クリック率が向上する。円錐台形部の底部側の外周が基底部の外周から離れて内側に位置する実施例5-3では、円錐台形の底部側の外周が基底部の外周に接する実施例5-2に比して、クリック率が低下する。このような傾向は、中間層のみにより孔部を形成し、構造体の底部側の内周が中間層の孔部の外周から離れて内側に位置させた場合にも同様にみられる。
(1)
可撓性を有する導体層と、
押し込み量に対して反力が非線形変化する複数の構造体と、
静電容量式のセンサ層と、
上記複数の構造体と上記センサ層の間に設けられた中間層と
を備え、
上記中間層は、上記複数の構造体がそれぞれ押し込まれる複数の孔部を有する入力装置。
(2)
上記構造体は、凸状部と、上記凸状部の頂部に設けられた押圧体と備える(1)に記載の入力装置。
(3)
上記押圧体は、上記凸状部の頂部に付与された形状により構成されている(2)に記載の入力装置。
(4)
上記形状は、上記凸状部の頂部の一部または全部が一様に突出されたものである(3)に記載の入力装置。
(5)
上記押圧体の厚さは、上記孔部の深さ以上、上記凸状部の高さ以下である(2)または(3)に記載の入力装置。
(6)
上記構造体の頂部は、上記構造体の座屈部に比べて厚い(1)から(5)のいずれかに記載の入力装置。
(7)
上記構造体の頂部は、上記構造体の座屈部よりも硬度の高い材料を含んでいる(1)から(6)のいずれかに記載の入力装置。
(8)
上記複数の構造体は、エンボスフィルムにより構成されている(1)から(7)のいずれかに記載の入力装置。
(9)
上記構造体が、複数の孔部を有する(1)から(8)のいずれかに記載の入力装置。
(10)
上記構造体は、複数の脚部により構成された座屈部を備える(1)から(9)のいずれかに記載の入力装置。
(11)
上記構造体には、通気孔が設けられている(1)から(10)のいずれかに記載の入力装置。
(12)
上記複数の構造体は、上記導体層と上記中間層の間に設けられている(1)から(11)のいずれかに記載の入力装置。
(13)
上記導体層は、上記複数の構造体と上記中間層の間に設けられている(1)から(11)のいずれかに記載の入力装置。
(14)
上記構造体は、上記中間層の表面に対して立設または傾斜された側面を有すると共に、正方形状の外周を有する基底部と、上記基底部上に設けられた、円錐台形状を有する凸状部とを備える(12)に記載の入力装置。
(15)
上記凸状部の底部側の外周は、上記基底部の外周にほぼ接している(14)に記載の入力装置。
(16)
上記構造体の周囲に、上記導体層を支持する支持部が設けられている(12)に記載の入力装置。
(17)
上記構造体の頂部と、上記導体層との間にスペースが設けられている(16)に記載の入力装置。
(18)
上記構造体は、上記中間層の孔部の外周よりも内側に設けられている(13)に記載の入力装置。
(19)
(1)から(18)のいずれかに記載の入力装置を備えるキーボード。
(20)
(1)から(18)のいずれかに記載の入力装置を備える電子機器。
上記構造体は、上記中間層の表面に対してほぼ垂直に立設または傾斜された側面を有する基底部と、該基底部上に設けられた凸状部とを備える(12)に記載の入力装置。
(22)
上記センサ層と上記中間層との間に設けられた基底層をさらに備え、
上記複数の構造体は、エンボス層により構成され、
上記基底層は、上記エンボス層と同一またはほぼ同一の線膨張係数を有している(12)に記載の入力装置。
(23)
上記基底層は、上記複数の構造体がそれぞれ押し込まれる複数の孔部を有する(22)に記載の入力装置。
(24)
上記センサ層は、基材を備え、
上記複数の構造体は、エンボス層により構成され、
上記基材は、上記エンボス層と同一またはほぼ同一の線膨張係数を有している(12)に記載の入力装置。
(25)
上記複数の構造体と上記導体層との間に設けられた基底層をさらに備え、
上記複数の構造体は、エンボス層により構成され、
上記基底層は、上記エンボス層と同一またはほぼ同一の線膨張係数を有している(13)に記載の入力装置。
(26)
上記導体層は、基材を備え、
上記複数の構造体は、エンボス層により構成され、
上記基材は、上記エンボス層と同一またはほぼ同一の線膨張係数を有している(13)に記載の入力装置。
(27)
上記構造体は、凸状部と、上記凸状部の頂部に設けられた第1押圧体と、上記第1押圧体上に設けられた第2押圧体とを備える(1)から(18)、(21)から(26)のいずれかに記載の入力装置。
(28)
上記第1押圧体は、上記凸状部の頂部に付与された形状により構成され、
上記第2押圧体は、粘着フィルムにより構成されている(27)に記載の入力装置。
(29)
複数のキーを含むキートップ層と、
上記複数の構造体と上記キートップ層との間にそれぞれ設けられた複数の支持層と
をさらに備える(1)から(18)、(21)から(28)のいずれかに記載の入力装置。
(30)
(21)から(29)のいずれかに記載の入力装置を備えるキーボード。
(31)
(21)から(29)のいずれかに記載の入力装置を備える電子機器。
可撓性を有する導体層と、
押し込み量に対して反力が非線形変化する複数の構造体と、
静電容量式のセンサ層と、
上記複数の構造体と上記センサ層の間に設けられた中間層と
を備え、
上記中間層は、上記複数の構造体がそれぞれ押し込まれる複数の孔部を有するセンサ。
(33)
可撓性を有する導体層と、
押し込み量に対して反力が非線形変化する構造体と、
静電容量式のセンサ層と、
上記構造体と上記センサ層の間に設けられた中間層と
を備え、
上記中間層は、上記構造体がそれぞれ押し込まれる孔部を有するセンサ。
静電容量式のセンサ層上に配置される凹凸フィルムであって、
押し込み量に対して反力が非線形変化する複数の押し込み部を備え、
前記押し込み部は、凹凸のうちの凸部により構成されている凹凸フィルム。
(35)
上記押し込み部は、上記押し込み部の底の側に設けられた基底部をさらに備え、
上記押し込み部および上記基底部は、凹凸のうちの凸部により構成されている(34)に記載の凹凸フィルム。
(36)
上記押し込み部は、錐台形状を有し、
上記基底部は、直方体形状を有する(35)に記載の凹凸フィルム。
(37)
上記押し込み部の底部の外周は、上記基底部の頂部の外周に内接する、またはほぼ内接する(35)または(36)に記載の凹凸フィルム。
(38)
上記基底部の側面の傾斜角は、上記押し込み部の座屈部の傾斜角よりも大きい(35)から(37)のいずれかに記載の凹凸フィルム。
(39)
上記押し込み部上に設けられた押圧体をさらに備える(34)から(38)のいずれかに記載の凹凸フィルム。
(40)
上記複数の押し込み部上に設けられたキートップ層をさらに備える(34)から(39)のいずれかに記載の凹凸フィルム。
(41)
上記複数の押し込み部と上記キートップ層との間にそれぞれ設けられた複数の支持層をさらに備える(40)に記載の凹凸フィルム。
静電容量式のセンサ層上に配置される凹凸構造体であって、
基底層と、
上記基底層上に固定された凹凸フィルムと
を備え、
押し込み量に対して反力が非線形変化する複数の押し込み部を備え、
前記押し込み部は、凹凸のうちの凸部により構成されている凹凸構造体。
(43)
上記基底層および上記凹凸フィルムの線膨張係数は、同一またはほぼ同一である(42)に記載の凹凸構造体。
(44)
上記基底層と上記凹凸フィルムとの間に設けられた粘着層をさらに備える(42)または(43)に記載の凹凸構造体。
(45)
上記粘着層は、上記複数の押し込み部それぞれに対応する位置に設けられた複数の孔部を有する(44)に記載の凹凸構造体。
(46)
上記基底層と上記粘着層との間に設けられた樹脂層をさらに備える(44)に記載の凹凸構造体。
(47)
上記粘着層および上記樹脂層は、上記複数の押し込み部それぞれに対応する位置に設けられた複数の孔部を有する(46)に記載の凹凸構造体。
(48)
上記基底層、上記粘着層および上記樹脂層は、上記複数の押し込み部それぞれに対応する位置に設けられた複数の孔部を有する(46)に記載の凹凸構造体。
(49)
上記押し込み部は、上記孔部に押し込み可能に構成されている(45)、(47)または(48)に記載の凹凸構造体。
(50)
上記押し込み部は、上記押し込み部の底の側に設けられた基底部をさらに備え、
上記押し込み部および上記基底部は、凹凸のうちの凸部により構成されている(42)から(49)のいずれかに記載の凹凸構造体。
(51)
上記押し込み部は、錐台形状を有し、
上記基底部は、直方体形状を有する(50)に記載の凹凸構造体。
(52)
上記押し込み部の底部の外周は、上記基底部の頂部の外周に内接する、またはほぼ内接する(50)または(51)に記載の凹凸構造体。
(53)
上記基底部の傾斜角は、上記押し込み部の傾斜角よりも大きい(50)から(52)のいずれかに記載の凹凸構造体。
(54)
上記押し込み部上に設けられた押圧体をさらに備える(42)から(53)のいずれかに記載の凹凸構造体。
(55)
上記複数の押し込み部上に設けられたキートップ層をさらに備える(42)から(54)に記載の凹凸構造体。
(56)
上記複数の押し込み部と上記キートップ層との間にそれぞれ設けられた複数の支持層をさらに備える(55)に記載の凹凸構造体。
11 入力装置
12 ホスト
13 表示装置
14 コントローラIC
20 センサモジュール
21、25 リファレンス電極層
22 センサ層
23 中間層
24 構造体
26 キートップ層
31 凸状部
31a 頂部
31b 座屈部
32 押圧体
33 エンボス層
34 平坦部
41 基材
42 X電極
43 Y電極
44 絶縁層
Claims (31)
- 可撓性を有する導体層と、
押し込み量に対して反力が非線形変化する複数の構造体と、
静電容量式のセンサ層と、
上記複数の構造体と上記センサ層の間に設けられた中間層と
を備え、
上記中間層は、上記複数の構造体がそれぞれ押し込まれる複数の孔部を有する入力装置。 - 上記構造体は、凸状部と、上記凸状部の頂部に設けられた押圧体と備える請求項1に記載の入力装置。
- 上記押圧体は、上記凸状部の頂部に付与された形状により構成されている請求項2に記載の入力装置。
- 上記形状は、上記凸状部の頂部の一部または全部が一様に突出されたものである請求項3に記載の入力装置。
- 上記押圧体の厚さは、上記孔部の深さ以上、上記凸状部の高さ以下である請求項2に記載の入力装置。
- 上記構造体の頂部は、上記構造体の座屈部に比べて厚い請求項1に記載の入力装置。
- 上記構造体の頂部は、上記構造体の座屈部よりも硬度の高い材料を含んでいる請求項1に記載の入力装置。
- 上記複数の構造体は、エンボスフィルムにより構成されている請求項1に記載の入力装置。
- 上記構造体が、複数の孔部を有する請求項1に記載の入力装置。
- 上記構造体は、複数の脚部により構成された座屈部を備える請求項1に記載の入力装置。
- 上記構造体には、通気孔が設けられている請求項1に記載の入力装置。
- 上記複数の構造体は、上記導体層と上記中間層の間に設けられている請求項1に記載の入力装置。
- 上記導体層は、上記複数の構造体と上記中間層の間に設けられている請求項1に記載の入力装置。
- 上記構造体は、上記中間層の表面に対して立設または傾斜された側面を有すると共に、正方形状の外周を有する基底部と、上記基底部上に設けられた、円錐台形状を有する凸状部とを備える請求項12に記載の入力装置。
- 上記凸状部の底部側の外周は、上記基底部の外周にほぼ接している請求項14に記載の入力装置。
- 上記構造体の周囲に、上記導体層を支持する支持部が設けられている請求項12に記載の入力装置。
- 上記構造体の頂部と、上記導体層との間にスペースが設けられている請求項16に記載の入力装置。
- 上記構造体は、上記中間層の孔部の外周よりも内側に設けられている請求項13に記載の入力装置。
- 上記構造体は、上記中間層の表面に対してほぼ垂直に立設または傾斜された側面を有する基底部と、該基底部上に設けられた凸状部とを備える請求項12に記載の入力装置。
- 上記センサ層と上記中間層との間に設けられた基底層をさらに備え、
上記複数の構造体は、エンボス層により構成され、
上記基底層は、上記エンボス層と同一またはほぼ同一の線膨張係数を有している請求項12に記載の入力装置。 - 上記基底層は、上記複数の構造体がそれぞれ押し込まれる複数の孔部を有する請求項20に記載の入力装置。
- 上記センサ層は、基材を備え、
上記複数の構造体は、エンボス層により構成され、
上記基材は、上記エンボス層と同一またはほぼ同一の線膨張係数を有している請求項12に記載の入力装置。 - 上記複数の構造体と上記導体層との間に設けられた基底層をさらに備え、
上記複数の構造体は、エンボス層により構成され、
上記基底層は、上記エンボス層と同一またはほぼ同一の線膨張係数を有している請求項13に記載の入力装置。 - 上記導体層は、基材を備え、
上記複数の構造体は、エンボス層により構成され、
上記基材は、上記エンボス層と同一またはほぼ同一の線膨張係数を有している請求項13に記載の入力装置。 - 上記構造体は、凸状部と、上記凸状部の頂部に設けられた第1押圧体と、上記第1押圧体上に設けられた第2押圧体とを備える請求項1に記載の入力装置。
- 上記第1押圧体は、上記凸状部の頂部に付与された形状により構成され、
上記第2押圧体は、粘着フィルムにより構成されている請求項25に記載の入力装置。 - 複数のキーを含むキートップ層と、
上記複数の構造体と上記キートップ層との間にそれぞれ設けられた複数の支持層と
をさらに備える請求項1に記載の入力装置。 - 可撓性を有する導体層と、
押し込み量に対して反力が非線形変化する複数の構造体と、
静電容量式のセンサ層と、
上記複数の構造体と上記センサ層の間に設けられた中間層と
を備え、
上記中間層は、上記複数の構造体がそれぞれ押し込まれる複数の孔部を有するセンサ。 - 可撓性を有する導体層と、
押し込み量に対して反力が非線形変化する構造体と、
静電容量式のセンサ層と、
上記構造体と上記センサ層の間に設けられた中間層と
を備え、
上記中間層は、上記構造体がそれぞれ押し込まれる孔部を有するセンサ。 - 可撓性を有する導体層と、
押し込み量に対して反力が非線形変化する複数の構造体と、
静電容量式のセンサ層と、
上記複数の構造体と上記センサ層の間に設けられた中間層と
を備え、
上記中間層は、上記複数の構造体がそれぞれ押し込まれる複数の孔部を有するキーボード。 - 可撓性を有する導体層と、
押し込み量に対して反力が非線形変化する複数の構造体と、
静電容量式のセンサ層と、
上記複数の構造体と上記センサ層の間に設けられた中間層と
を備える入力装置を含み、
上記中間層は、上記複数の構造体がそれぞれ押し込まれる複数の孔部を有する電子機器。
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CN201580060539.9A CN107003746B (zh) | 2014-11-14 | 2015-11-04 | 输入设备、传感器、键盘和电子设备 |
JP2016558869A JP6635042B2 (ja) | 2014-11-14 | 2015-11-04 | 入力装置、センサ、キーボードおよび電子機器 |
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JP (1) | JP6635042B2 (ja) |
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WO2018047791A1 (ja) * | 2016-09-09 | 2018-03-15 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | 入力装置及びそれを備えた電子機器 |
WO2018162309A1 (en) * | 2017-03-06 | 2018-09-13 | Jaguar Land Rover Limited | Control apparatus and method for controlling operation of a component |
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US10234959B2 (en) * | 2014-11-14 | 2019-03-19 | Sony Corporation | Input apparatus, keyboard, and electronic apparatus |
EP3514516B1 (en) * | 2016-09-14 | 2023-10-25 | Sony Group Corporation | Sensor, input device, and electronic device |
DE102016220086A1 (de) * | 2016-10-14 | 2018-04-19 | Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. | Mikrostrukturiertes organisches Sensorbauelement und Verfahren zu dessen Herstellung |
TWI652604B (zh) | 2017-02-16 | 2019-03-01 | 日商阿爾普士電氣股份有限公司 | 靜電感測器及輸入裝置 |
JP7003941B2 (ja) * | 2017-02-17 | 2022-01-21 | ソニーグループ株式会社 | センサ、入力装置および電子機器 |
JP6832207B2 (ja) * | 2017-03-29 | 2021-02-24 | 東京エレクトロン株式会社 | 静電容量測定用の測定器 |
JP2019197424A (ja) * | 2018-05-10 | 2019-11-14 | シャープ株式会社 | 配線基板、表示装置及び配線基板の製造方法 |
WO2023219225A1 (ko) * | 2022-05-13 | 2023-11-16 | 삼성전자 주식회사 | 도전성 키 버튼을 포함하는 전자 장치 |
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- 2015-11-04 WO PCT/JP2015/005528 patent/WO2016075900A1/ja active Application Filing
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JP6635042B2 (ja) | 2020-01-22 |
CN107003746B (zh) | 2020-07-24 |
TWI667595B (zh) | 2019-08-01 |
TW201633070A (zh) | 2016-09-16 |
US20170322647A1 (en) | 2017-11-09 |
JPWO2016075900A1 (ja) | 2017-08-24 |
CN107003746A (zh) | 2017-08-01 |
US10175782B2 (en) | 2019-01-08 |
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