WO2019031061A1

WO2019031061A1 - Input device

Info

Publication number: WO2019031061A1
Application number: PCT/JP2018/022896
Authority: WO
Inventors: 笹川　英人; 朝川　隆司; 裕高島; 敏行茂木
Original assignee: アルプス電気株式会社
Priority date: 2017-08-07
Filing date: 2018-06-15
Publication date: 2019-02-14
Also published as: JP2020181227A

Abstract

An input device 1 comprises: a sensor unit 10 in which a plurality of electrode parts 11, 12 are provided on a supporting base material 100; and a decorative layer 20 made to overlap the sensor unit 10. The supporting base material 100 is provided with transmission adjusting parts 110 that adjust the transmission of light emitted in a first direction D1 from the sensor unit 10 side toward the decorative layer 20 side. The transmission adjusting parts 110 each include a transmission pattern 111 for transmitting light, and a light-blocking pattern 112 for blocking light. The amount of transmitted light is adjusted via the ratio of the transmission pattern 111 to the light-blocking pattern 112 per unit area, and thus it is possible to effectively display a design, that is based on the light-volume distribution, on the decorative layer during lighting of the backlight.

Description

Input device

The present invention relates to an input device, and more particularly to an input device provided with a touch sensor that detects a position where a finger or the like has approached.

A touch panel that is often used as an input device includes a touch sensor that detects a position at which a finger or the like approaches a detection area (hereinafter, an approach includes a touch). For example, in a mutual capacitive touch panel, a drive side electrode and an output side electrode are provided, a drive pulse is applied to the drive side electrode, and a capacitance change due to a finger or the like is detected by the output side electrode doing.

On the outermost surface of the touch panel, a surface panel (glass, plastic) is provided to display an image clearly and to protect it from contact with a finger or the like. The front panel is also a part related to the design of the touch panel. For example, a decorative layer is provided on the back surface side of the front panel, and the appearance design of the panel surface is set by printing the decorative layer.

As decoration of such a touch panel, in patent document 1, after forming a lamination decoration layer of a coloring layer / coloring layer around the back surface of a cover glass, a transparent electrode layer is extended over the decoration layer from the back surface central part Disclosed is an integrated cover integrated electrostatic sensor. In this cover-integrated electrostatic sensor, the designability is improved by forming the coloring layer into a gradation structure.

Patent Document 2 discloses a cover glass integrated electrostatic touch panel in which a first light shielding layer / sensor electrode + lead wiring layer / second light shielding layer is formed on the back surface of a cover glass in this order. In this cover glass integrated electrostatic touch panel, it is disclosed that the first light shielding layer is gradation-arranged in the second light shielding layer so that the boundary between the first light shielding layer and the second light shielding layer can not be seen easily.

In Patent Document 3, a decorative layer of diffusion layer / halftone print layer / base layer is formed on the back surface of the key top of the button switch of the mobile phone to blur the gradation pattern of the halftone print layer and make it a smooth gradation. Is disclosed. It is also disclosed that the illumination unit is provided inside the key top.

In Patent Document 4, in order to make the logo display of the cover panel pseudo 3D, a metal formed by forming the same material as the wiring on the sensor base disposed on the back by providing the removed logo portion on the decorative layer of the cover panel An electrostatic touch panel in which a layer is removed and disposed at a position overlapping with a logo portion is disclosed.

JP, 2015-026294, A JP 2014-038531 A JP, 2006-159794, A JP, 2013-054420, A

In recent years, a design having a high rendering effect may be required for the touch panel, and a specific example thereof is a design in which a display based on the light quantity distribution is realized in the decorative layer when the backlight is lit. Such requirements require a configuration that brings the distribution of the light amount to the decorative layer or a member positioned closer to the viewer than the decorative layer, for example, the surface panel, specifically, a configuration that partially adjusts the light transmission amount Can be responded by giving However, in such correspondence, the mechanism that brings about the distribution of the light quantity is recognized as a part of the design of the decorative layer even when the backlight is turned off, so the designability at the time of the light is reduced, resulting in sufficient rendering There was a possibility that the effect could not be obtained.

An object of the present invention is to provide an input device capable of effectively displaying a design based on the distribution of light quantity on the decorative layer when the backlight is lit.

In order to solve the above-mentioned subject, one mode of the present invention is an input device provided with a sensor part by which a plurality of electrode parts were provided on a support base material, and a decoration layer piled up with a sensor part, The support base material is provided with a transmission adjusting unit for adjusting the transmission of light irradiated in the first direction from the sensor unit side toward the decorative layer side in a state of being separated from the decorative layer in the first direction Are characterized.

According to such a configuration, when light is irradiated to the sensor unit in the first direction, that is, when the backlight is lit, the light transmitted through the sensor unit and irradiated to the decorative layer is a sensor The distribution of light quantity is given by the transmission adjustment part provided on the support base of the part. On the other hand, since the transmission adjusting unit is covered with the decorative layer and is separated from the decorative layer in the first direction, the transmission adjusting unit is not visually recognized when the backlight is turned off. Therefore, when the backlight is turned off, a design based on the decorative layer is visually recognized, and when the backlight is turned on, a design based on the distribution of light quantity provided by the transmission adjusting unit can be displayed on the decorative layer. In other words, a design that is not visually recognized at all when the backlight is turned off can have an excellent rendering effect such that the backlight is turned on to reveal it.

In the above input device, the transmission adjustment unit has a transmission pattern for transmitting light and a light shielding pattern for shielding light, and the transmission amount of light is adjusted by the ratio of the transmission pattern per unit area to the light shielding pattern. It may be like that. In this way, it is possible to perform gradation expression on the design by the light that is realized in the decorative layer by the ratio of the transmission pattern per unit area to the light shielding pattern. Here, the transmission adjusting unit is separated from the decorative layer and the transmission adjusting unit in the first direction (the traveling direction of light), so light transmitted through the transmission pattern of the transmission adjusting unit is diffused to some extent and decorated Reach the layer. Therefore, a design having a continuous change in light quantity such as gradation can be easily displayed on the decorative layer without excessively reducing the transmission pattern and the light shielding pattern.

In the above input device, the support base material is provided with a lead wiring portion having a portion made of a conductive material and connected to a plurality of electrode portions, and at least a part of the conductive material of the lead wiring portion and the constituent material of the light shielding pattern And at least part of the same may be common. As described above, by making the constituent materials of the members formed on the support base in common, the light shielding pattern can also be manufactured in the process of manufacturing the lead wiring portion, and the transmission adjustment portion can be efficiently provided. .

According to the present invention, the design based on the decorative layer is visually recognized when the backlight is turned off, and the design based on the distribution of the light amount given by the transmission adjusting unit not visually recognized when the backlight is turned on is manifested in the decorative layer Can be That is, the design visually recognized in the decorative layer can be clearly differentiated between the time of turning off the backlight and the time of lighting. Therefore, the present invention provides an input device having a design having an excellent rendering effect in the decorative layer.

(A) is a perspective view of the input device which concerns on this embodiment, (b) and (c) is an enlarged plan view of a permeation | transmission adjustment part. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. 1 (a). (A) And (b) is a top view which illustrates the display state of an image. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an input device according to a comparative example. (A) And (b) is a top view which illustrates the display condition of the image of the input device in a comparative example. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an input device according to a second embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In the following description, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the members once described will be omitted as appropriate.

(Configuration of input device)
FIGS. 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating an input device according to the present embodiment, where FIG. 1A is a perspective view, and FIGS. 1B and 2C are enlarged plan views of a transmission adjustment unit.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1 (a).

As shown to Fig.1 (a), the input device 1 which concerns on this embodiment is provided with the sensor part 10 which is an electrostatic capacitance type touch sensor, for example, and the decoration layer 20 piled up with the sensor part 10. As shown in FIG. The input device 1 is, for example, a touch panel. The input device 1 is mounted on a display device 50 such as liquid crystal. Here, in the embodiment, in the stacking direction of the sensor unit 10 and the decorative layer 20, the direction from the sensor unit 10 toward the decorative layer 20 is referred to as a first direction D1. A backlight 51 is provided on the side of the display device 50, and a part of the sensor unit 10 is located above the backlight 51.

The sensor unit 10 performs position detection based on a change in capacitance when a finger or the like approaches the detection region S. The sensor unit 10 includes a first electrode 11 and a second electrode 12 provided in the detection area S of the substrate 100. That is, the base material 100 is a support base material which supports a plurality of electrodes (the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12). The substrate 100 is formed of a flexible film having translucency such as PET (polyethylene terephtalate), COP (cycloolefin polymer), a hard translucent plate such as acrylic resin or polycarbonate resin, a glass plate, etc. .

The first electrode 11 extends in one direction (for example, the X direction) along the surface of the substrate 100, and the second electrode 12 extends along the surface of the substrate 100 in the direction orthogonal to the X direction (for example, Y direction) Extends to The first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 are mutually insulated. In the present embodiment, the plurality of first electrodes 11 are disposed at a predetermined pitch in the Y direction, and the plurality of second electrodes 12 are disposed at a predetermined pitch in the X direction.

Although there are various patterns of electrodes constituting the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12, in the present embodiment, each of the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 has a plurality of island-shaped electrode portions. Each insular electrode portion has, for example, a shape close to a rhombus.

The detection area S of the sensor unit 10 has a position detection function, and has a light transmitting property so that the image displayed by the display device 50 can be transmitted. For this reason, translucent conductive materials (ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), conductive nanomaterials, metal materials formed in a mesh shape, etc.) are used for the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12.

The sensor unit 10 includes the lead-out wiring unit 113 in a region overlapping the decorative layer 20 when viewed in the direction along the first direction D1 in the base material 100. The lead-out wiring portion 113 is electrically connected to the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12, applies a voltage to these electrodes, and transmits a detection signal output from these electrodes. The lead-out wiring portion 113 has a portion made of a conductive material having high conductivity such as a metal material. The lead-out wiring portion 113 is located in a region overlapping the decorative layer 20 as viewed in the direction along the first direction D1, and therefore, is not visually recognized from the surface cover 30 side. Therefore, the lead-out wiring portion 113 may not have the light transmitting property.

A surface cover 30 for protecting the sensor unit 10 is provided on the sensor unit 10. The surface cover 30 is a thin plate-like member having a light transmitting property of glass or plastic. The decorative layer 20 is attached to the back surface (the sensor unit 10 side) of the front cover 30. The decorative layer 20 may be provided on the surface of the surface cover 30 or may be embedded in the surface cover 30.

The decorative layer 20 is provided on the peripheral edge portion of the display device 50 and overlapping the entire area of the backlight 51 as viewed from the direction along the first direction D1. The decorative layer 20 enhances the design such as the color and pattern of the device. In addition, a member such as the above-mentioned lead-out wiring portion 113 is positioned below the decorative layer 20 and the decorative layer 20 also has a function of concealing such a member when viewed from the surface cover 30 side. Further, light emitted from the display device 50 in the first direction D1 (including light of liquid crystal backlight, light emitted from self-luminous type such as organic EL, and light emitted from other light emitting portions) is predetermined. It also has a transmission suppression function to suppress the transmission of light when the amount of light is equal to or less. On the other hand, as described later, part of the light emitted from the backlight 51 in the first direction D1 passes through the decorative layer 20 and is visible from the surface cover 30 side.

In such an input device 1, the transmission adjustment unit 110 is provided in a region overlapping the backlight 51 when viewed from the direction along the first direction D 1 in the base material 100 of the sensor unit 10. The transmission adjustment unit 110 is a part that adjusts the transmission amount of light emitted from the backlight 51.

The transmission adjustment unit 110 has a transmission pattern 111 for transmitting light and a light shielding pattern 112 for shielding light. The light transmittance of the transmission pattern 111 is relatively higher than the light transmittance of the light shielding pattern 112.

The light shielding pattern 112 is made of, for example, a metal material. At least a portion of the constituent material of the light shielding pattern 112 may be common to at least a portion of the conductive material of the lead-out wiring portion 113. In this case, the light shielding pattern 112 can be manufactured in the process of manufacturing the lead wiring portion 113 in the sensor unit 10, and the light shielding pattern 112 can be efficiently obtained. In the present embodiment, the lead-out wiring portion 113 is a lamination formed by laminating a metal material layer 1132 on a layer 1131 made of a transparent conductive material common to the transparent conductive material constituting the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12. It has a structure in which the body is covered by a layer 1133 of resin-based material. On the other hand, the light shielding pattern 112 has a structure in which a layer 1122 made of the same material as the metal layer 1132 is stacked on a layer 1121 made of the same material as the transparent conductive material 1131.

The transmission pattern 111 is a portion of the transmission adjustment unit 110 where the light shielding pattern 112 is not provided. For example, the transmission pattern 111 is a portion where a part of the metal material forming the light shielding pattern 112 is removed by etching or the like. In addition to the portion of the light shielding pattern 112 from which a part of the metal material is removed, the transmission pattern 111 may be made of a material having a light transmittance higher than that of the metal material of the light shielding pattern 112.

The transmission pattern 111 may be a dot pattern of a predetermined shape such as a circle, or may be a line pattern. The larger the area of the transmission pattern 111, the greater the amount of light transmission. As shown in FIG. 1B, in the present embodiment, the transmission amount of light is adjusted by the ratio of the transmission pattern 111 and the light shielding pattern 112 per unit area. Thereby, pseudo gradation can be expressed. The relationship between the shape of the transmission pattern 111 and the shape of the light shielding pattern 112 in this case is arbitrary. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), transmission patterns 111 of different sizes may be present in the form of islands in the light shielding pattern 112, or as shown in FIG. 1 (c), Light blocking patterns 112 of different sizes may be present in the form of islands. Alternatively, the individual sizes of the transmission pattern 111 and the light shielding pattern 112 may be equal, and the amount of transmission of light may be adjusted by changing the degree of density.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the input device 1 provided on the display device 50, the sensor unit 10, the decorative layer 20, and the surface cover 30 are stacked in this order in the first direction D1. A translucent resin 60 such as OCA (Optical Clear Adhesive) is interposed between the sensor unit 10 and the surface cover 30. In the present embodiment, it is realized that the light transmission adjusting unit 110 and the decorative layer 20 are separated in the first direction D1 by the light transmitting resin 60. In the present embodiment, since the decorative layer 20 is a print layer formed on the surface of the surface cover 30 on the sensor unit 10 side, the decorative layer 20 is positioned to be in contact with the surface cover 30.

With such a structure, when light is irradiated to the sensor unit 10 in the first direction D1 by the backlight 51, the amount of light transmission in the area where the transmission pattern 111 is located is the area where the light blocking pattern 112 is located More than the amount of light transmission. That is, in the region where the light shielding pattern 112 is located, the light is hardly transmitted to the surface cover 30 side. On the other hand, in the region where the transmission pattern 111 is located, the light passing through the transmission pattern 111 is transmitted to the surface cover 30 side.

Under the present circumstances, since the permeation | transmission adjustment part 110 is provided in the position away from the surface cover 30 rather than the decoration layer 20, in other words, the permeation | transmission adjustment part 110 spaces apart from the decoration layer 20 in 1st direction D1. Therefore, the light transmitted through the transmission pattern 111 is diffused when passing through the translucent resin 60. Thereby, the image of the light transmitted through the transmission pattern 111 reaches the decorative layer 20 in a blurred state to some extent. Therefore, as described above, by changing the ratio of the transmission pattern 111 and the light shielding pattern 112 per unit area, a distribution in which the light quantity continuously changes is generated in the light reaching the decorative layer 20. Can.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are plan views illustrating the display state of an image.
The example of a display of the state where light was irradiated is shown in Drawing 3 (a), and the example of a display of the state where light is not irradiated is shown in Drawing 3 (b). Both display examples are viewed from above the surface cover 30.

As shown in FIG. 3A, in a state where light (backlight) is irradiated from the sensor unit 10 side of the input device 1, light transmitted through the transmission pattern 111 reaches the surface cover 30 side. At this time, the image P1 of the transmission pattern 111 is diffused when passing through the translucent resin 60, and the outline becomes blurred. Therefore, by making the transmission pattern 111 small and dense to a certain extent, it is possible to represent pseudo gradations and to express gradations and the like.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3B, in the state where light (backlight) is not irradiated from the sensor unit 10 side of the input device 1, there is no transmission of light from the transmission pattern 111. The design on the surface cover 30 side is observed as it is. In the present embodiment, even if there is light passing through the decorative layer 20 from the surface cover 30 side and entering inside, the amount of light is sufficiently reduced, the light reflected by the transmission adjustment unit 110 is the decorative layer 20 does not pass through to reach the surface cover 30 side. Therefore, when observed from the surface cover 30 side, the transmission pattern 111 will not be visible. In addition, even if light enters the area where the decorative layer 20 is overlapped from the area where the decorative layer 20 is not overlapped in the sensor unit 10, if the light of that amount of light is transmitted through the decorative layer 20 It does not reach the surface cover 30 side.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an input device according to a comparative example.
In the input device 2 according to the comparative example, a transmission pattern 220 is provided on a part of the decorative layer 20. That is, the input device 2 is provided with the transmission pattern 220 capable of transmitting the light irradiated from the backlight 51 in the first direction D1 to the surface cover 30 side by removing a part of the light shielding pattern 230 of the decorative layer 20. Configuration.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are plan views illustrating the display state of the image of the input device in the comparative example.
The example of a display of the state where light was irradiated is shown in Drawing 5 (a), and the example of a display of the state where light is not irradiated is shown in Drawing 5 (b). Both display examples are viewed from above the surface cover 30.

As shown to Fig.5 (a), the light which permeate | transmitted the permeation | transmission pattern 220 provided in the decoration layer 20 reaches the surface cover 30 side in the state to which light was irradiated. However, since the transmission pattern 220 is provided in the decorative layer 20, the light transmitted through the transmission pattern 220 travels straight without being diffused to the surface cover 30. Thereby, the image P2 of the transmission pattern 220 is clearly seen from the surface cover 30 without blurring.

As shown in FIG. 5B, in the state where the light is not irradiated, the light from the transmission pattern 111 is not transmitted. However, since the transmission pattern 220 is provided on the decorative layer 20 provided immediately below the surface cover 30, the transmission pattern 220 can be faintly seen as a difference in the reflection intensity of light entering inside from the surface cover 30 side. It will end up.

As described above, in the input device 2 according to the comparative example, the image P2 of the transmission pattern 220 appears clearly (see FIG. 5A) in a state where light is irradiated, and it is difficult to obtain appropriate blurring. For this reason, in order to obtain gradation expression and gradation, it is necessary to form the transmission pattern 220 with high definition and to arrange the transmission pattern with high accuracy, and the technical difficulty increases. In addition, even when the light is not irradiated, the transmission pattern 220 is slightly visible due to the light coming from the outside (see FIG. 5B). That is, the design that should be viewed for the first time when the light is emitted from the backlight 51 in the first direction D1 is also viewed in the state where the design is not illuminated. This way of looking will impair the design.

On the other hand, in the input device 1 according to the present embodiment, the contour of the image P1 of the transmission pattern 111 is appropriately blurred and displayed in the state where the light is irradiated (see FIG. 3A). This makes it easy to express gradation expression and gradation. Moreover, in the state which is not irradiated with light, light shielding is firmly carried out by the decoration layer 20, and the permeation | transmission pattern 111 spaced apart and arrange | positioned from the decoration layer 20 can not be seen. Therefore, since the design visually recognized by the decoration layer 20 is clearly different in the state where light is irradiated from the backlight 51, and the state which is not irradiated, it becomes an excellent design with a high stage effect.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the input device according to the second embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 6, the input device 1B according to the present embodiment includes a first transparent electrode film 150 provided with the first electrode 11 and a second transparent electrode film 160 provided with the second electrode 12. ing. The first transparent electrode film 150 is formed by arranging a plurality of first electrodes 11 at predetermined intervals on a light transmitting film-like substrate 151. The second transparent electrode film 160 is formed by arranging a plurality of second electrodes 12 at predetermined intervals on a light transmitting film-like substrate 161.

The plurality of first electrodes 11 and the plurality of second electrodes 12 are mutually overlapped by laminating and bonding the first transparent electrode film 150 and the second transparent electrode film 160 via a translucent resin such as OCA. It arrange | positions in the direction to cross | intersect, and the sensor part 10 is comprised.

In the input device 1B, the transmission adjusting unit 110 is provided on the film-like base material 161 of the second transparent electrode film 160 which is closer to the decorative layer 20 among such transparent electrode films. . Thereby, the separation distance between the transmission adjusting unit 110 and the decorative layer 20 can be set in the same manner as in the case of the input device 1 according to the first embodiment, and the configuration of the transmission adjusting unit 110 is common to the input device 1 Can be In the input device 1 </ b> B, the transmission adjusting unit 110 may be provided on the film-like base 151 of the first transparent electrode film 150 which is further from the decorative layer 20. In this case, the separation distance between the transmission adjusting unit 110 and the decorative layer 20 can be secured longer than in the case of the input device 1 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the degree of diffusion of light of the backlight 51 transmitted through the transmission adjusting unit 110 becomes relatively large, and a design with higher continuity of light amount change can be displayed on the decorative layer 20.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the

input device

1 or 1B having a design in which the display when the backlight 51 is on and the display when it is off are clearly different from each other and has excellent rendering effects in the decorative layer. It becomes possible to offer.

Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to these examples. For example, those skilled in the art may appropriately add, delete, or change the design of the components from the above-described embodiments, or may appropriately combine the features of the embodiments and the features of the present invention. As long as it is, it is included in the scope of the present invention. For example, the backlight 51 may be part of the display device 50. In this case, the backlight 51 is composed of a portion of the display device 50 capable of emitting relatively high-intensity light. Moreover, the lead-out wiring part 113 may be formed in the area | region where the permeation | transmission adjustment part 110 is located, and the 1st electrode 11 and the 2nd electrode 12 may be formed.

1, 1B, 2 Input device 10: Sensor unit 11: First electrode 12: Second electrode 20: Decorative layer 30: Surface cover 50: Display device 51: Backlight 60: Translucent resin 100: Base material 110 ... Transmission adjustment portion 111 ... Transmission pattern 112 ... Light shielding pattern 1121 ... Layer made of a common material with a layer made of a transparent conductive material 112 ... Layer made of a common material with a layer made of a metal material ... Leaded out wiring portion 1131 ... Transparent conductive Material layer 1132: metal material layer 1133: resin material layer 150: first transparent electrode film 151: base material 160: second transparent electrode film 161: base material 220: transmission pattern 230: light shielding pattern D1: first material 1 direction P1, P2 ... image S ... detection area

Claims

A sensor unit in which a plurality of electrode units are provided on a support base,
A decorative layer overlapped with the sensor unit,
An input device comprising
In the state where the transmission adjustment part which adjusts transmission of the light irradiated to the 1st direction which goes to the decoration layer side from the sensor part side to the support base material is separated from the decoration layer in the 1st direction An input device characterized by being provided.
The transmission adjusting unit has a transmission pattern for transmitting the light and a light shielding pattern for shielding the light, and the transmission amount of the light is adjusted by the ratio of the transmission pattern per unit area to the light shielding pattern. The input device according to claim 1.
The support base material is provided with a lead-out wiring portion having a portion made of a conductive material and connected to the plurality of electrode portions, and at least a part of the conductive material of the lead-out wiring portion and the constituent material of the light shielding pattern The input device according to claim 2, wherein at least a part is common.