WO2023053682A1

WO2023053682A1 - Electrostatic capacitance type input device

Info

Publication number: WO2023053682A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/028193
Authority: WO
Inventors: 亮佐々木
Original assignee: 信越ポリマー株式会社
Priority date: 2021-09-28
Filing date: 2022-07-20
Publication date: 2023-04-06
Also published as: JP2023048260A

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an electrostatic capacitance type input device that combines: having a switch that is easy to handle and has a rotary dial or push button; and using an electrostatic capacitance touch sensor with a simple design. This electrostatic capacitance type input device comprises: an operation panel; a sensor sheet attached to the rear surface side of the operation panel; and a switch including at least one of a rotary dial and push button. A base material sheet of the sensor sheet is provided with a touch sensor electrode for detecting a touch operation on a surface of the operation panel by a change in electrostatic capacitance, and a detection electrode for detecting a switch operation on the switch by a change in electrostatic capacitance. The switch is provided with a conductor having a distance to the detection electrode that changes by the switch operation, and the switch operation on the switch is detected from a change in electrostatic capacitance caused by the change in distance between the detection electrode and the conductor.

Description

capacitive input device

The present invention relates to a capacitive input device.
This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-157451 filed in Japan on September 28, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein.

In various fields such as automotive electronic devices, capacitive input devices equipped with touch sensors that detect touch operations on the operation surface from changes in capacitance due to finger contact or proximity to the operation surface are used. It is Such a touch sensor is mounted by attaching, for example, a sensor sheet in which touch sensor electrodes are provided on a base sheet made of resin and having flexibility, to the rear side (control board side) of the operation panel.

Physical switches such as dial switches and push button switches are often provided on the operation panel. As a dial switch, for example, one that detects rotation of the switch by a rotary encoder is known (Patent Document 1). However, since such a physical switch differs in detection method from a capacitive touch sensor, the design becomes complicated when trying to mount them on the same control board. In particular, when the operation panel includes a curved surface, high assembling accuracy is also required, which makes the production of the input device extremely difficult.

In Patent Document 2, a plurality of sensor units are arranged on the operation surface of the operation panel at intervals so as to surround the center of the operation unit. A change-detecting dial switch is disclosed. However, such a dial switch, which is operated by tracing an operation surface with a finger, has a poor operational feeling, and users prefer a dial switch having a physical rotating dial (rotating body) because it is easy to handle.

JP-A-52-142411 JP-A-6-111695

In view of such circumstances, the present invention provides a capacitance touch sensor that is both equipped with an easy-to-handle switch having a rotary dial and a push button and is used in combination with a capacitance-type touch sensor in a simple design. An object of the present invention is to provide a type input device.

The present invention includes the following configurations.
[1] A capacitive input device comprising an operation panel, a sensor sheet attached to the back side of the operation panel, and a switch provided on the operation panel and including at least one of a rotary dial and a push button. There is
The sensor sheet includes a base sheet made of resin, a touch sensor electrode provided on the base sheet for detecting a touch operation on the surface of the operation panel by a change in capacitance, and the base sheet. provided with a detection electrode for detecting a switch operation to the switch by a change in capacitance, and circuit wiring connected to the touch sensor electrode and the detection electrode, respectively;
The switch includes a conductor whose distance from the detection electrode changes according to switch operation,
A capacitive input device, wherein a switch operation to the switch is detected from a change in capacitance caused by a change in distance between the detection electrode and the conductor.
[2] the switch comprises a dial switch comprising a rotary dial;
A first conductor is provided on the rotary dial, and a plurality of first detection electrodes are arranged at intervals around the rotation axis of the rotary dial at a position on the back side of the rotary dial on the sensor sheet,
The capacitive input device according to [1], wherein rotation of the rotary dial is detected from a change in capacitance caused by a change in distance between the first conductor and each of the first detection electrodes. .
[3] the switch comprises a push button switch comprising a push button;
A second conductor is provided on the push button, and a second detection electrode is arranged on the sensor sheet at a position on the back side of the push button,
The capacitive input device according to [1] or [2], wherein pressing of the push button is detected from a change in capacitance caused by the second conductor approaching the second detection electrode. .
[4] The switch includes a composite switch in which a push button is provided inside a cylindrical rotary dial,
the rotating dial is provided with a third conductor, the push button is provided with a fourth conductor,
A plurality of third detection electrodes are arranged at intervals around the rotation axis of the rotary dial at a position on the sensor sheet on the back side of the rotary dial,
A fourth detection electrode is disposed on the sensor sheet at a position on the back side of the push button,
Rotation of the rotary dial of the composite switch is detected from a change in capacitance caused by a change in the distance between the third conductor and each of the third detection electrodes, and the fourth conductor detects the fourth detection. The capacitive input device according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein pressing of the push button of the composite switch is detected from a change in capacitance caused by approaching an electrode.
[5] The capacitive type according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the operation panel is a decorative panel whose surface is designed for touch operation by an operator with a finger. input device.

According to the present invention, there is provided a capacitive input device that is both equipped with easy-to-handle switches having rotary dials and push buttons, and that is combined with a capacitive touch sensor in a simple design. be able to.

The present invention is believed to contribute to SDGs Goal 12 "Responsible consumption and production".

1 is a schematic diagram of a capacitive input device of an example of an embodiment viewed from an operation panel side; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the capacitive input device of FIG. 1 taken along line II. FIG. 1. It is the top view which showed the planar state before mounting of the sensor sheet used for the capacitive-type input device of FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing how the sensor sheet of FIG. 3 is formed into a three-dimensional shape when mounted; It should be noted that FIG. 4 omits circuit wiring for the sake of convenience. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mode of detecting a switch operation of a rotary dial using a first detection electrode; 2 is a cross-sectional view of the capacitive input device of FIG. 1 taken along line II-II. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a capacitive input device provided with a composite switch; FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of an installation mode of the compound switch and the sensor sheet; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a mode in which a resin plate is attached to the back side of the operation panel; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a mode of attaching a resin plate to the back side of the operation panel; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the capacitive input device;

In the present specification and claims, the lower limit and upper limit of the numerical range indicated by "-" shall be included in the numerical range.
An example of an embodiment of the capacitive input device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the dimensions and the like of the drawings illustrated in the following description are only examples, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to them, and can be implemented with appropriate changes within the scope of not changing the gist of the present invention. .

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a capacitive input device 100 (hereinafter also simply referred to as “input device 100”) of the present embodiment includes an operation panel 10, a sensor sheet 20, and a dial switch 30. , a push button switch 40 and a control board 50 .
The sensor sheet 20 is attached to the back surface 10b side of the operation panel 10 . The dial switch 30 and the push button switch 40 are provided on the operation panel 10 so that they can be physically operated from the surface 10a side of the operation panel 10. As shown in FIG. The control board 50 is arranged on the opposite side of the sensor sheet 20 to the operation panel 10 .

The operation panel 10 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a resin plate made of polycarbonate (PC), an acrylic resin, or the like, and a glass plate.
The average thickness of the operation panel 10 is preferably 0.05-10 mm, more preferably 2-5 mm. When the thickness of the operation panel 10 is equal to or greater than the lower limit value of the range, sufficient strength is likely to be obtained. If the thickness of the operation panel 10 is equal to or less than the upper limit of the range, it is easy to prevent the input device 100 from becoming excessively thick.

The operation panel 10 may be a decorative panel having a surface (operation surface) 10a provided with a decorative layer designed for touch operation by an inputter's finger. The decorative layer is a layer on which arbitrary decoration is applied by decoration, letters, figures, symbols, patterns, a combination thereof, or a combination of these and colors. The decorative layer can be formed by printing, for example.
In the example shown in FIG. 1, a decorative layer 12 with a plurality of arrows is formed on a portion of the surface 10a of the operation panel 10 where touch operations are performed. Note that the operation panel 10 may not have a decorative layer.

FIG. 3 shows a planar state of the sensor sheet 20 before mounting.
The sensor sheet 20 includes a base sheet 21 made of resin, touch sensor electrodes 22 , first detection electrodes 23 , second detection electrodes 24 , and circuit wiring 25 .

The planar view shape of the base sheet 21 is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately designed according to the arrangement of the dial switches 30, the push button switches 40, and the touch operation area on the operation panel 10.

The base sheet 21 of the example shown in FIG. 3 has a main body portion 21A, a protruding portion 21B, and a strip portion 21C. The body portion 21A has a laterally long rectangular shape. The projecting portion 21B has a horizontally long rectangular shape, and extends from the center of the first long side 21a of the body portion 21A in the length direction (the X direction in FIG. 2) to a position near the first short side 21c, It is provided so as to protrude in the width direction (the Y direction in FIG. 2) of the body portion 21A. The band-shaped portion 21C is provided so as to protrude in the length direction (X direction) from a portion of the first short side 21c of the body portion 21A on the side of the first long side 21a.
In a portion near the first long side 21a of the main body portion 21A of the base sheet 21, a straight line along the length direction (X direction) is provided from near the center in the length direction to near the first short side 21c. A slit 26 is formed.

Four touch sensor electrodes 22 are arranged linearly at intervals in the longitudinal direction in a region on the second long side 21b side of the slit 26 in the body portion 21A of the base sheet 21 . A circular opening 27 is formed in a region closer to the second short side 21d than the slit 26 in the body portion 21A of the base sheet 21, and the plurality of first detection electrodes 23 surround the opening 27. are spaced apart from each other. Three second detection electrodes 24 are spaced apart in the length direction in a region on the first long side 21a side of the slit 26 in the body portion 21A of the base sheet 21 and where the projecting portion 21B is provided. are arranged in a straight line.
The four touch sensor electrodes 22, the plurality of first detection electrodes 23, and the three second detection electrodes 24 are each electrically connected to the connection terminal 28 at the tip portion of the belt-shaped portion 21C by the circuit wiring 25.

The sensor sheet 20 can be made into a three-dimensional shape by partially mountain-folding and valley-folding using the slits 26 . Specifically, the portion of the base material sheet 21 closer to the belt-like portion 21C on the side of the first long side 21a than the slit 26 is mountain-folded and valley-folded at the mountain-fold line 29a and the valley-fold line 29b shown in FIG. do. Further, the portion between the touch sensor electrode 22 and the first detection electrode 23 on the second long side 21b side of the slit 26 of the base sheet 21 is divided by the mountain fold line 29a and the valley fold line 29b shown in FIG. Mountain fold and valley fold respectively. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, mountain folds and valley folds are performed on both ends of the slit 26 in the base sheet 21, and the region of the base sheet 21 where the touch sensor electrodes 22 are provided is raised. As a result, the base sheet 21 has a three-dimensional structure having steps such that the heights of the region where the touch sensor electrodes 22 are provided and the regions where the first detection electrodes 23 and the second detection electrodes 24 are provided are different. shape.

As shown in FIG. 2 , of the sensor sheet 20 having such a three-dimensional shape, the area where the touch sensor electrodes 22 are provided is attached to the back surface 10 b of the operation panel 10 . Then, the belt-shaped portion 21C of the base sheet 21 is bent toward the control board 50 side, and the connection terminals 28 are connected to the terminal connection portions of the control board 50 . Thereby, each of the touch sensor electrodes 22 , the first detection electrodes 23 , and the second detection electrodes 24 is electrically connected to an unillustrated capacitance detection section provided on the control substrate 50 .

Also, the area of the sensor sheet 20 where the first detection electrode 23 and the second detection electrode 24 are provided is attached to the control board 50 . In the input device 100, the area where the first detection electrode 23 and the second detection electrode 24 of the sensor sheet 20 are provided is separated from the operation panel 10, and the space is utilized for the dial switch 30 and the push button. A button switch 40 is provided. As a result, the portions of the dial switch 30 and the push button switch 40 protruding from the operation panel 10 can be lowered.

The resin constituting the base sheet 21 may be a flexible base sheet, such as polyester (polyethylene terephthalate (PET), etc.), PC, acrylic resin, cyclic polyolefin resin, triacetyl. Cellulose can be exemplified. The number of resins constituting the base sheet 21 may be one, or two or more.

The average thickness of the base sheet 21 is preferably 10-250 μm, more preferably 25-188 μm. If the average thickness of the base sheet 21 is equal to or greater than the lower limit of the above range, it is easy to ensure sufficient strength. If the average thickness of the base sheet 21 is equal to or less than the upper limit of the above range, the sensor sheet 20 can be easily thinned.

The touch sensor electrode 22 is an electrode for detecting a touch operation on the surface 10a of the operation panel 10 by a change in capacitance. In the input device 100, each touch sensor electrode 22 of the sensor sheet 20 is arranged on the back side of the region of the operation panel 10 where the decorative layer 12 is formed. In this example, the touch operation of tracing the region of the operation panel 10 where the decorative layer 12 is formed with a finger in the direction of the arrow is performed by the capacitance of the four touch sensor electrodes 22 linearly arranged at intervals. Change can be detected.

Although the planar view shape of the touch sensor electrode 22 is an arrow shape in this example, it is not limited thereto, and may be rectangular, triangular, circular, or the like.
A known electrode can be used as the touch sensor electrode 22, and it may be a self-capacitance method or a mutual capacitance method. The form of the mutual-capacitance touch sensor electrodes 22 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include solid electrodes and comb-teeth electrodes. The form of the self-capacitance touch sensor electrode 22 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a solid electrode and a diamond pattern.

For example, a transparent conductive film can be used as the touch sensor electrode 22 .
Examples of transparent conductive films include films containing conductive polymers, films containing conductive nanowires, films containing metal particles or conductive metal oxide particles, films containing carbon, and metals formed by metal vapor deposition. A vapor deposition film can be exemplified, and a film containing a conductive polymer is preferable because of its excellent bending resistance.

Examples of conductive polymers include polythiophene, polypyrrole, and polyaniline. Polythiophene is preferred, and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with polystyrenesulfonic acid is particularly preferred.
Examples of conductive nanowires include silver nanowires, gold nanowires, and carbon nanotubes.
Examples of metal particles include particles of metals such as silver, copper, and gold.
Examples of conductive metal oxide particles include particles of indium-doped tin oxide.
Examples of carbon include carbon black and graphite.
Examples of the metal forming the metal deposition film include copper, aluminum, nickel, chromium, zinc, and gold, with copper being preferred.

The touch sensor electrode 22 is not limited to a transparent conductive film, and may be an electrode formed of silver paste, carbon paste, or the like.
The average thickness of the touch sensor electrode 22 can be appropriately set according to the material. be.
The number of touch sensor electrodes 22 is not limited to four, and may be three or less, or may be five or more.

The first detection electrode 23 is an electrode for detecting a switch operation of the dial switch 30 by a change in capacitance.
In the example shown in FIG. 3 , a plurality of first detection electrodes 23 having a triangular shape in a plan view are placed in a chrysanthemum shape with one vertex of each on the opening 27 side and spaced apart from each other so as to surround the opening 27 . are placed in The planar shape of the first detection electrode 23 is not limited to a triangle, and may be a rectangle, a circle, or the like.

A well-known electrode can be used as the first detection electrode 23, and a self-capacitance method or a mutual capacitance method may be used.
The aspects such as the material and the average thickness of the first detection electrode 23 can be the same aspects as those illustrated in the touch sensor electrode 22 .
The number of the first detection electrodes 23 may be within a range where the switch operation of the dial switch 30 can be detected, for example, 3 to 10.

The second detection electrode 24 is an electrode for detecting a switch operation of the push button switch 40 by a change in capacitance.
In the example shown in FIG. 3, three second detection electrodes 24 having a square shape in a plan view are arranged side by side with a space therebetween. The planar shape of the second detection electrode 24 is not limited to a square, and may be a triangle, a circle, or the like.

A known electrode can be used as the second detection electrode 24, and it may be a self-capacitance method or a mutual capacitance method.
The aspects such as the material and average thickness of the second detection electrode 24 can be the same aspects as those exemplified for the touch sensor electrode 22 .
The number of second detection electrodes 24 is not limited to three, and can be set as appropriate according to the number of pushbutton switches 40, and may be two or less or four or more.

The touch sensor electrodes 22, the first detection electrodes 23, and the second detection electrodes 24 may be arranged on the surface of the base sheet 21 facing the operation panel 10, or may be arranged on the surface facing the control board 50. The touch sensor electrodes 22, the first detection electrodes 23, and the second detection electrodes 24 may be separately arranged on the surface of the base sheet 21 facing the operation panel 10 and the surface facing the control board 50, respectively.

The material of the circuit wiring 25 is not particularly limited, and for example, the same material as that of the touch sensor electrode 22 can be exemplified, and silver paste is preferable.
The average thickness of the circuit wiring 25 is not limited, but can be approximately the same as the average thickness of the touch sensor electrodes 22, for example.

In the sensor sheet 20, on the side of the base sheet 21 on which the touch sensor electrodes 22, the first detection electrodes 23, and the second detection electrodes 24 are provided, a protective layer may be formed to cover these electrodes. The shape and dimensions of the protective layer can be appropriately set according to the arrangement and dimensions of each electrode. The protective layer is not particularly limited, and for example, the same resin sheets as those exemplified for the base sheet can be exemplified.

The average thickness of the protective layer is preferably 10-250 μm, more preferably 10-188 μm. If the average thickness of the protective layer is at least the lower limit of the range, sufficient strength can be easily secured. If the average thickness of the protective layer is equal to or less than the upper limit of the above range, the sensor sheet 20 can be easily thinned.

The method of attaching the sensor sheet 20 to the operation panel 10 is not particularly limited, and for example, a method of forming an adhesive layer on the portion of the sensor sheet 20 attached to the operation panel 10 and pasting it via the adhesive layer can be exemplified. The method of attaching the sensor sheet 20 to the control board 50 is also the same.

Examples of materials for the adhesive layer include known curable adhesives (liquid adhesive before adhesion) and pressure-sensitive adhesives (gel-like pressure-sensitive adhesive before adhesion). Further, the adhesive layer may be a substrate-type adhesive layer in which an adhesive or pressure-sensitive adhesive is placed on both sides of a substrate, or may be a known double-sided tape.
Examples of adhesives and adhesives include acrylic resins, urethane resins, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers. The curable adhesive may be of a solvent type containing a solvent that volatilizes during curing, or may be of a hot-melt type.
The average thickness of the adhesive layer is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, 1 to 75 μm.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a dial switch 30 is provided at a portion of the operation panel 10 corresponding to the plurality of first detection electrodes 23 . The dial switch 30 includes a cylindrical rotating dial 31 that is a physical rotating body, and a rotating shaft 32 provided at the center of the rotating dial 31 .

In this example, when viewed from the surface 10a side of the operation panel 10, all the first detection electrodes 23 are arranged inside the positions where the plurality of first detection electrodes 23 are arranged on the operation panel 10. A circular opening 11 is formed, and a rotating dial 31 having a rotating shaft 32 is fitted in the opening 11 . The rotary shaft 32 passes through the opening 27 of the sensor sheet 20 and extends to the control board 50 , and the rear surface of the rotary dial 31 is separated from the sensor sheet 20 . In the dial switch 30 , the rotating dial 31 can be grasped and rotated around the rotating shaft 32 .
Note that the dial switch 30 is not limited to a mode in which the rotary dial 31 is rotatably held by the rotary shaft 32 . For example, a rotary dial may be rotatably fitted inside a cylindrical rotary dial mounting portion.

A first conductor 33 is provided on the back surface of the rotary dial 31 . Also, the plurality of first detection electrodes 23 arranged on the sensor sheet 20 are located on the back side of the rotary dial 31 and are arranged around the rotary shaft 32 of the rotary dial 31 at equal angular intervals. The first conductor 33 provided on the back surface of the rotary dial 31 and the first detection electrodes 23 provided on the sensor sheet 20 are not in contact with each other and are separated from each other.

When the rotary dial 31 of the dial switch 30 is rotated, the first conductor 33 on the back surface of the rotary dial 31 rotates around the rotary shaft 32 accordingly. That is, when viewed from the front surface 10 a side of the operation panel 10 , the first conductor 33 moves while overlapping each of the first detection electrodes 23 arranged around the rotating shaft 32 in order. At this time, when viewed from the surface 10a side of the operation panel 10, the first conductors 33 overlap each other, and the first detection electrodes 23 facing each other face the first conductors 33. approaches, the capacitance changes. Therefore, for example, if each first detection electrode 23 is connected to an individual capacitance detection unit, the rotation direction (clockwise rotation or counterclockwise), rotation speed, and rotation angle.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the respective first detection electrodes 23 arranged around the rotating shaft 32 are arranged clockwise from an arbitrary first detection electrode 23 as the

first detection electrodes

23A, 23B, 23C, 23A, 23B, . 23C . . In this case, when the rotary dial 31 is rotated clockwise, the capacitance changes in the order of the first detection electrode 23A, the first detection electrode 23B, the first detection electrode 23C, the first detection electrode 23A . When the rotary dial 31 is rotated counterclockwise, the capacitance changes in the order of the first detection electrode 23A, the first detection electrode 23C, the first detection electrode 23B, the first detection electrode 23A . The rotation direction, rotation speed and rotation angle of the rotary dial 31 can be detected.
The mode of detecting the rotational direction, rotational speed, and rotational angle of the rotary dial 31 from changes in the capacitance of each first detection electrode 23 is not limited to these modes.

Although the planar view shape of the first conductor 33 is triangular in this example, it is not limited thereto. The planar shape of the first conductor 33 may be rectangular, circular, or the like. The planar shape of the first conductor 33 and the planar shape of the first detection electrode 23 may be the same or different.
The size of the first conductor 33 is not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate. For example, the first conductor 33 may have a shape and size that completely overlaps one first detection electrode 23 when viewed from the surface 10a side of the operation panel 10, and two adjacent first detection electrodes 23 They may be shaped and sized such that they overlap completely at the same time.

The conductive material forming the first conductor 33 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include carbon particles, conductive polymer, conductive silicone rubber, silver nanowires, metal, and metal mesh. The first conductor 33 can be formed, for example, by coating or printing using these materials. The first conductor 33 may be, for example, a conductive silicone rubber compounded with carbon particles or metal particles, a metal plate, a metal foil, or a conductive member plated with noble metal.
The average thickness of the first conductor 33 is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, 0.01 to 5 μm.

Note that the dial switch 30 is not limited to a mode in which the first conductor 33 is provided as a separate member on the back surface of the rotary dial 31 .
For example, even if it is a rotary dial that only partially protrudes from the back surface, and the entire rotary dial including the protruding portion is molded with a conductive molding material, and the protruding portion is the first conductor. good. In addition, a thin film made of a conductive material and formed by coating or the like on at least the surface of the projection facing the first detection electrode is used as the first conductor. It may be in the form of
Examples of the conductive molding material include conductive polymers and resins containing carbon particles.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, push button switches 40 are provided at portions of the operation panel 10 corresponding to the three second detection electrodes 24, respectively. As shown in FIG. 6 , the pushbutton switch 40 includes a pushbutton 41 , an insulating film 42 , a second conductor 43 , a rubber member 44 and a switch mounting portion 45 .

In this example, when viewed from the front surface 10a side of the operation panel 10, the operation panel 10 is provided with a rectangular tubular switch mounting portion 45 so as to surround the second detection electrode 24. A push button 41 is fitted. An insulating film 42 , a second conductor 43 , and an insulating film 42 are laminated in this order on the rectangular end surface of the protrusion provided on the back side of the push button 41 . Each second detection electrode 24 arranged on the sensor sheet 20 is located on the back side of the push button 41 . The second conductor 43 provided on the back surface of the push button 41 and the second detection electrode 24 provided on the sensor sheet 20 are not in contact with each other and are separated from each other.
Furthermore, a rubber material 44 is arranged on the back side of the push button 41 in the switch mounting portion 45 . The push button switch 40 can push the push button 41 with a finger while compressing and deforming the rubber material 44 . When the finger is released from the push button 41, the rubber material 44 returns to its original shape, so that the push button 41 returns to its original position.

In each push button switch 40 , when the push button 41 is pushed, the distance between the second conductor 43 on the back surface of the push button 41 and the second detection electrode 24 becomes closer, and the static electricity of the second detection electrode 24 is reduced. Capacity changes. In this way, it is possible to detect that the push button 41 has been pushed from the change in capacitance due to the closer distance between the second conductor 43 and the second detection electrode 24 .

The shape of the insulating film 42 may be appropriately designed according to the shape of the back surface of the push button 41 .
The material constituting the insulating film 42 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include polypropylene, polyethylene, PET, PC, polyamide, polyimide, phenol resin, epoxy resin, and acrylic resin. PET is preferred because of the
The average thickness of the insulating film 42 is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, 25-188 μm.
A method for laminating the insulating film 42 and the second conductor 43 is not particularly limited, and for example, a method using an adhesive can be exemplified.

Although the planar view shape of the second conductor 43 is rectangular in this example, it is not limited thereto. The planar shape of the second conductor 43 may be triangular, circular, or the like. The plan view shape of the second conductor 43 and the plan view shape of the second detection electrode 24 may be the same or different.
The size of the second conductor 43 is not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate.

The material constituting the second conductor 43 is not particularly limited, and for example, the same materials as those exemplified for the first conductor 33 can be exemplified.
The average thickness of the second conductor 43 is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, 1 to 20 μm.

Although the shape of the rubber material 44 is not limited, this example has a dome shape in which a space is formed above the second detection electrode 24 .
The material of the rubber material 44 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include elastomers such as silicone rubber, fluororubber, urethane rubber, and ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM). , silicone rubber is preferable from the point of being excellent in compression characteristics.

Note that the push button switch 40 is not limited to the mode shown in FIG.
For example, a mode may be adopted in which the push button 41 is formed of a conductive material, and the back side of the push button 41 is the second conductor. Alternatively, a conductive material may be added to the rubber material 44, and the portion of the rubber material facing the second detection electrode may be the second conductor. In addition, a thin film made of a conductive material formed by coating or the like on the surface 44a of the rubber material 44 facing the second conductor 43 and separated from the second conductor 43 is used as the second conductor. may be In these cases, there is no need to provide the second conductor as a separate member, and the insulating film can be omitted.

The control board 50 is appropriately provided with circuit wiring, a capacitance detection unit (IC), and the like.
The material constituting the control board 50 is not particularly limited, and the same materials as those exemplified as the materials constituting the operation panel 10 can be exemplified, for example, resin, glass, and inorganic substances.

In the input device 100 described above, the dial switch 30 and the push button switch 40 are capacitive like touch sensors, and the first detection electrode 23 and the second detection electrode 24 for detecting switch operation are sensors. It is provided on the seat 20 . In this way, since the detection method is unified to the capacitance method, the switch operation can be detected by connecting the sensor sheet 20 to the control board 50 compared to the case of using a physical switch using a rotary encoder or the like for detecting the switch operation. General can be easily implemented. Also, the thickness and design cost of the input device 100 can be reduced.
Furthermore, in the input device 100, the dial switch 30 and the push button switch 40 detect switch operations by means of capacitance. The ease of handling of the switch is also compatible.

Note that the capacitive input device of the present invention is not limited to the input device 100 described above.
For example, the switch provided on the operation panel may be a switch including at least one of a rotating dial and a push button, or may be a compound switch including both the rotating dial and the push button.

Specifically, for example, the composite switch 60 shown in FIG. 7 can be exemplified. The compound switch 60 has a rotary dial 61 , a push button 62 , an insulating film 63 , a third conductor 64 , a fourth conductor 65 and a rubber member 66 . In this example, a cylindrical push button 62 is fitted inside a cylindrical rotary dial 61, and an insulating film 63, a fourth conductor 65, Insulating films 63 are laminated in this order. The third conductor 64 is provided in a portion near the lower end of the rotary dial 61 . Furthermore, a rubber material 66 is arranged on the back side of the push button 62 in the rotary dial 61, and the push button 62 can be pushed in with a finger while compressing and deforming the rubber material 66. - 特許庁

A plurality of third detection electrodes 29A are arranged along the rotary dial 61 on the back side of the cylindrical rotary dial 61 in the sensor sheet 20, and fourth detection electrodes 29A are arranged on the back side of the push button 62. An electrode 29B is arranged. The third conductor 64 and the third detection electrode 29A are not in contact. Also, the fourth conductor 65 and the fourth detection electrode 29B are not in contact with each other.
As modes of the third conductor 64 and the fourth conductor 65, the same modes as those of the first conductor 33 and the second conductor 43 can be exemplified.
As a form of the third detection electrode 29A and the fourth detection electrode 29B, the same form as the first detection electrode 23 and the second detection electrode 24 can be exemplified.

In the compound switch 60, similarly to the dial switch 30, when the rotary dial 61 is rotated, the third conductor 64 rotates accordingly, and overlaps the respective third detection electrodes 29A arranged along the rotary dial 61 in order. move while Therefore, like the dial switch 30, the rotation operation of the rotary dial 61 can be detected from the change in the capacitance of each third detection electrode 29A. Further, when the push button 62 is pushed, the fourth conductor 65 approaches accordingly, and the capacitance of the fourth detection electrode 29B changes. It is possible to detect that the push button 62 has been pressed from the change in capacitance.

The capacitive input device of the present invention is not limited to a mode in which the sensor sheet has a three-dimensional shape and a step is provided between the area where the touch sensor electrodes are provided and the area where the detection electrodes are provided. For example, a sensor sheet may be attached to the back side of the operation panel at the position where the switch is provided.
Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the sensor sheet 20 may be attached to the rear surface 10b side of the operation panel 10 at the position where the composite switch 60 is provided. Further, in this case, a resin plate 70 for reinforcing the sensor sheet 20 can be provided on the back side of the portion of the sensor sheet 20 where the switches are provided.

When the resin plate 70 is provided, the manner in which the resin plate 70 is attached is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, a fitting projection 13 may be provided on the rear surface 10b side of the operation panel 10, and the resin plate 70 may be fitted into the fitting projection 13 for attachment.
The material of the resin plate 70 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include PC, acrylic resin, and the like.

Further, in the capacitive input device of the present invention, like the input device 100, the control substrate 50 side of the sensor sheet 20 other than the region where the touch sensor electrodes 22 are provided is entirely on the control substrate 50. It is not limited to the mode in which it is attached. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the area of the sensor sheet 20 on the control board 50 side where the first detection electrodes 23 are provided is attached to a resin molded member 80 separate from the control board 50, and the touch sensor electrodes 22 are The provided area may be attached to the rear surface 10 b of the operation panel 10 and the remaining area of the sensor sheet 20 may be attached to the control board 50 . Similarly, the area of the sensor sheet 20 on the control board 50 side where the second detection electrodes 24 are provided may be attached to the resin molded member 80 . Both the area provided with the first detection electrodes 23 and the area provided with the second detection electrodes 24 on the control board 50 side of the sensor sheet 20 may be attached to the resin molded member 80 .

The shape of the resin molded member 80 is not limited, but if it is plate-shaped, the mounting of the sensor sheet 20 is facilitated.
The material constituting the resin molded member 80 is not particularly limited, and the same materials as those exemplified as the materials constituting the operation panel 10 and the control board 50 can be exemplified. For example, resin, glass, and inorganic substances can be exemplified.

In addition, it is possible to appropriately replace the components in the above-described embodiment with well-known components without departing from the scope of the present invention, and the modifications described above may be combined as appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Operation panel 10a... Front surface 10b... Back surface 11... Opening part 12... Decorative layer 20... Sensor sheet 21... Base material sheet 22... Touch sensor electrode 23... First detection electrode 24... Second detection electrode 25 Circuit wiring 26 Slit 27 Opening 28 Connection terminal 29A Third detection electrode 29B Fourth detection electrode 30 Dial switch 31 Rotary dial 32 Rotation Axle 33 First conductor 40 Push button switch 41 Push button 42 Insulating film 43 Second conductor 44 Rubber material 50 Control board 60 Combined switch 61 Rotation Dial 62 Push button 63 Insulating film 64 Third conductor 65 Fourth conductor 66 Rubber material 70 Resin plate 100 Capacitive input device.

Claims

A capacitive input device comprising an operation panel, a sensor sheet attached to the back side of the operation panel, and a switch provided on the operation panel and including at least one of a rotary dial and a push button,
The sensor sheet includes a base sheet made of resin, a touch sensor electrode provided on the base sheet for detecting a touch operation on the surface of the operation panel by a change in capacitance, and the base sheet. provided with a detection electrode for detecting a switch operation to the switch by a change in capacitance, and circuit wiring connected to the touch sensor electrode and the detection electrode, respectively;
The switch includes a conductor whose distance from the detection electrode changes according to switch operation,
A capacitive input device, wherein a switch operation to the switch is detected from a change in capacitance caused by a change in distance between the detection electrode and the conductor.
said switch comprising a dial switch comprising a rotary dial;
A first conductor is provided on the rotary dial, and a plurality of first detection electrodes are arranged at intervals around the rotation axis of the rotary dial at a position on the back side of the rotary dial on the sensor sheet,
2. The capacitive input device according to claim 1, wherein rotation of said rotary dial is detected from a change in capacitance caused by a change in distance between said first conductor and each of said first detection electrodes. .
said switch comprising a push button switch comprising a push button;
A second conductor is provided on the push button, and a second detection electrode is arranged on the sensor sheet at a position on the back side of the push button,
2. The capacitive input device according to claim 1, wherein pressing of said push button is detected from a change in capacitance caused by said second conductor approaching said second detection electrode.
The switch includes a compound switch in which a push button is provided inside a cylindrical rotary dial,
the rotating dial is provided with a third conductor, the push button is provided with a fourth conductor,
A plurality of third detection electrodes are arranged at intervals around the rotation axis of the rotary dial at a position on the sensor sheet on the back side of the rotary dial,
A fourth detection electrode is disposed on the sensor sheet at a position on the back side of the push button,
Rotation of the rotary dial of the composite switch is detected from a change in capacitance caused by a change in the distance between the third conductor and each of the third detection electrodes, and the fourth conductor detects the fourth detection. 2. The capacitive input device according to claim 1, wherein pressing of the push button of said composite switch is detected from a change in capacitance caused by approaching an electrode.
The capacitive input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operation panel is a decorative panel whose surface is designed for touch operation by an input user with a finger.