JP5318790B2 - Input sensor switch - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input sensor switch capable of preventing any adverse effect of a plunger on an electrode pattern of a sensor layer, and obtaining a smooth and correct operational feeling. <P>SOLUTION: The input sensor switch includes an insulating operation layer with its key top being press-operated, a capacitive type sensor layer 10 to be covered on a back side of the operation layer, and a plunger layer 20 for deforming a metal dome of the switch layer by the press-operation of the key top of the operation layer, and imparts flexibility to the sensor layer 10 and the plunger layer 20. The sensor layer 10 includes an insulating base material 11 to be layered on the operation layer, and a plurality of conductive electrode patterns 12 printed in the XY direction of the base material 11. Each electrode pattern 12 is formed by connecting a plurality of electrodes 14 arranged with a spacing therebetween by a conductive line 15, and a non-conductive damage-avoiding part 50 opposite to a plunger 21 of the plunger layer 20 is formed on each electrode 14 of the sensor layer 10. Thus, any damage of the electrode pattern 12 associated with the deformation of the plunger layer 20 is prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an input sensor switch used for a mobile device represented by a mobile phone, a communication device, a terminal device, a home appliance, a game device, or the like.

  For input switches used in mobile phones, computer devices, game devices, etc., a mechanical type in which a key top is pressed with a finger, a capacitor is formed between an electrode pattern and a finger that is a conductor, and its capacitance In addition to the electrostatic capacity type that detects the change of the above, there is a combined type that combines these (see Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3).

An input switch combining the mechanical type and the capacitance type is not shown, but for example, an insulating operation layer having a key top for pressing operation, and a sensor for forming a capacitor located on the back side of the operation layer And a plunger layer that turns on the switch layer with a plunger when the key top of the operation layer is pressed.
The sensor layer and the plunger layer are laminated in the thickness direction, and are given flexibility. Further, the key top of the operation layer, the electrode pattern of the sensor layer, and the plunger that protrudes from the plunger layer and presses the switch of the switch layer are opposed in the thickness direction.

  In the input switch having such a configuration, when the key top of the operation layer is pressed with a finger, the plunger layer is deformed and the switch of the switch layer is turned on with the plunger, and the finger contacts the operation layer or the key top. In the case of sliding, a capacitor is formed between the electrode pattern of the sensor layer and the finger, and a predetermined other function is realized by a change in capacitance.

JP 2007-115440 A JP 2006-59649 A JP 2002-366304 A

  The input switch that combines the mechanical type and the electrostatic capacity type is configured as described above. The key top is enlarged to make it easier to operate, and the performance such as mechanical operation feeling, touch life, reaction speed, and disassembly ability are available. Can be realized in a well-balanced manner.

  However, when the key top of the operation layer is operated and the plunger layer is repeatedly deformed, the plunger of this plunger layer exerts an adverse effect by applying stress to the electrode pattern of the opposing sensor layer, and the electrode pattern is damaged to increase the resistance value. Or a change in capacitance cannot be detected.

  In order to prevent such a situation, there is a method of changing the arrangement of the electrode pattern of the sensor layer to cancel the opposing relationship between the plunger of the plunger layer and the electrode pattern. However, when this method is adopted, there is no electrode pattern at the location where the user wants to operate intuitively.Therefore, there is a possibility that the operation may be hindered due to misalignment, and a smooth and accurate operation feeling may be hindered. Newly expected.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an input sensor switch capable of preventing a plunger from adversely affecting an electrode pattern of a sensor layer and obtaining a smooth and accurate operational feeling.

In the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an insulating operation layer in which the key top is pressed, a capacitive sensor layer laminated on the operation layer and covered by the operation layer, and an operation layer A plunger that deforms the switch of the switch layer by pressing the key top, and a light guide layer that is interposed between the operation layer and the switch layer and that guides the light from the light source and irradiates the operation layer in the direction of the operation layer. And
At least part of the operation layer, the sensor layer, and the light guide layer are each provided with light transparency, and the sensor layer and the light guide layer are respectively provided with flexibility.
The sensor layer includes an insulating base material laminated on the back surface of the operation layer and a conductive electrode pattern formed on the base material, and the electrode pattern is arranged between a plurality of electrodes arranged at intervals. Formed by connecting through conductive lines, drilled through each non-conductive through hole in the base material and the plurality of electrodes,
A plurality of plungers are arranged on the back surface of the operation layer, and each plunger is loosely fitted into a non-conductive through hole of the sensor layer so as to contact the surface of the light guide layer .

Here, as the light source in the claims, a plurality of light-emitting elements or the like can be appropriately used. Furthermore, the input sensor switch according to the present invention is used in portable devices such as mobile phones, communication devices, terminal devices, computer devices, home appliances, game devices, controllers thereof, and the like.

According to the present invention, when the key top of the operation layer is pressed and operated, the sensor layer is deformed, and the switch is deformed by the plunger to realize a predetermined function. At this time, the facing portion of the electrode of the sensor layer facing the plunger is not a conductive portion, and is a non-conductive through hole that does not contribute to the flow of current or signal. Less affected.

According to the present invention, since the plunger does not adversely affect the conductive portion of the opposing electrode and it is possible to suppress a decrease in detection accuracy, the electrode is damaged and the resistance value is increased, or the conductive portion is statically disconnected. There is an effect that it is possible to effectively eliminate a situation in which a change in electric capacity cannot be detected. In addition, since it is not necessary to cancel the opposing relationship between the electrode and the plunger, the electrode pattern exists at a location where the operation is desired to be performed intuitively, and a smooth and accurate operational feeling can be obtained. In addition, since non-conducting through holes are formed in each electrode, it is possible to make the capacitance uniform and to speed up and facilitate the production of the sensor layer.

In addition, the sensor layer is not positioned at a position away from the back surface of the operation layer, but the sensor layer is laminated close to the back surface of the operation layer, so that a necessary and sufficiently high capacitance can be obtained, It becomes possible to improve the detection sensitivity and resolution of the sensor layer. In addition, since a surface-emitting light guide layer is used, the sensor layer can be arranged without hindrance on the entire back surface of the operation layer, the number of light-emitting elements used can be reduced compared to the conventional one, and the degree of freedom of light-emitting element arrangement is increased. It becomes possible to increase. Further, a flexible light guide layer that guides light from the light source and irradiates the operation layer in the direction of the operation layer is interposed between the operation layer and the switch layer, and at least a part of the operation layer, the sensor layer, and the light guide Since each layer is provided with light transmissivity, at least a part of the operation layer can be illuminated to facilitate operation at night, and the operation layer can be improved in design and appearance.

In addition, since the sensor layer is laminated on the back surface of the operation layer, a relatively high capacitance can be obtained compared to when the sensor layer is separated from the back surface of the operation layer, and the detection sensitivity and resolution of the sensor layer are improved. Can be expected. Moreover, a favorable click feeling can also be obtained by the through hole. Furthermore, since the plunger is fitted into the through hole, the switch can be appropriately deformed by guiding the plunger through the through hole.

It is a section explanatory view showing typically an embodiment of an input sensor switch concerning the present invention. It is a plane explanatory view showing typically a plurality of electrode patterns in an embodiment of an input sensor switch concerning the present invention. It is a principal part expanded sectional view which shows typically the electrode of a sensor layer, the plunger layer, and the damage avoidance part in embodiment of the input sensor switch which concerns on this invention. It is a principal part expanded sectional view which shows typically 2nd Embodiment of the input sensor switch which concerns on this invention. It is a principal part expanded sectional view which shows typically 3rd Embodiment of the input sensor switch which concerns on this invention.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. An input sensor switch in the present embodiment includes an operation layer 1 in which a key top 3 is operated by a finger 4 as shown in FIGS. The sensor layer 10 covered with the operation layer 1, the plunger layer 20 that buckles and deforms the metal dome 32 of the switch layer 30 by pressing the key top 3 of the operation layer 1, and the light from the small light emitting element 41. A multi-layer switch mounted on the casing of the mobile phone, having a light guide layer 40 that guides light inward and irradiates in the direction of the operation layer 1. A capacitive sensor layer 10 is provided on the back surface of the operation layer 1. The insulating damage avoiding portion 50 is formed on each electrode 14 of the sensor layer 10 by stacking.

  The operation layer 1, the sensor layer 10, the plunger layer 20, and the light guide layer 40 are stacked in the vertical direction of FIG. 1, that is, in the thickness direction, and at least the sensor layer 10, the plunger layer 20, and the light guide layer 40 include Flexibility, elasticity, and light transmittance are imparted respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the operation layer 1 has a plurality of key tops 3 for pressing operation arranged in the surface XY direction of the insulating sheet 2, and the operation layer 1 is operated on the surface of the sheet 2 or each key top 3. A pattern (for example, a character, a figure, a symbol, etc.) is appropriately screen printed. For example, the operation layer 1 is formed in a plane rectangle using a urethane resin or the like, in which the sheet 2 is excellent in elasticity or frictional resistance, and each keytop 3 is formed in a plane rectangle, polygon, circle, ellipse, or the like using polycarbonate or the like having excellent impact resistance. Formed. A part of the operation layer 1, that is, the boundary between the sheet 2 and the key top 3, the surface of the key top 3, and the pattern are formed to be transparent to transmit light as necessary.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the sensor layer 10 includes an insulating base material 11 laminated on the back surface of the operation layer 1 and a surface XY of the base material 11 from the viewpoint of obtaining excellent detection sensitivity and resolution. A plurality of conductive electrode patterns 12 arranged in a diamond pattern in the direction, and the base material 11 and the plurality of electrode patterns 12 are covered with a transparent protective sheet 13 bonded to the back surface of the operation layer 1. The

  The base material 11 is formed of, for example, a sheet made of polyethylene terephthalate that is stable and transparent to light and heat. The plurality of electrode patterns 12 arranged at predetermined intervals in the XY directions are screen-printed with a conductive ink having excellent light transmittance. Each electrode pattern 12 includes a plurality of electrodes 14 arranged in the X direction or the Y direction at intervals, and elongated conductive lines 15 are integrally connected between the ends of the plurality of electrodes 14.

  Each electrode 14 is formed as a transparent thin film having a substantially rhombic shape on a plane, and is positioned directly opposite to the key top 3. Further, the conductive lines 15 of the electrode patterns 12 arranged in the XY direction are formed in a linear and transparent thin film, and from the viewpoint of preventing a short circuit, one is formed in a jumper structure straddling the other with a slight gap.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the plunger layer 20 includes a planar rectangular sheet made of, for example, urethane resin or silicone rubber having excellent elasticity and frictional resistance, and is bonded to the back surface of the sensor layer 10 via an adhesive layer. It faces the lower switch layer 30 through the light guide layer 40. In the back surface XY direction of the plunger layer 20, a plurality of plungers 21 that contact the surface of the light guide layer 40 are juxtaposed and formed, and each plunger 21 is formed in a truncated cone shape that faces the upper key top 3 and the electrode 14. The

  The switch layer 30 includes a circuit board 31 made of a flexible printed wiring board or the like, and a plurality of metal domes 32 are arranged in the surface XY direction of the circuit board 31, and the plurality of metal domes 32 are formed as the light guide layer 40. Touch the back of the. Each metal dome 32 is formed in a curved shape having a substantially inverted saddle shape that can be buckled and is located immediately below the key top 3, the electrode 14, and the plunger 21, and is pressed against the light guide layer 40 when the key top 3 is pressed. Will buckle and deform. When the metal dome 32 is buckled and deformed in this manner, the circuit is turned on by short-circuiting between the two conductive patterns formed on the circuit board 31.

  The light guide layer 40 is formed of, for example, a sheet made of transparent silicone rubber having excellent heat resistance and weather resistance and a wide use temperature range, and is interposed between the switch layer 30 and the plunger layer 20, and is a circuit board. The peripheral surface faces the light emitting element 41 mounted at the end of 31 with a slight gap.

  In the surface XY direction of the light guide layer 40, a plurality of optical patterns that emit light that has been guided (see arrows in FIG. 1) and emit light are arrayed. The light passes through the layer 10 and is irradiated in the direction of the operation layer 1, and uniformly illuminates the boundary between the sheet 2 and the key top 3 of the operation layer 1, the surface of the key top 3, and the pattern.

  The light emitting element 41 is composed of, for example, a high-brightness, power-saving, long-life LED or the like, and emits light in conjunction with power-on of the mobile phone, pressing operation of the key top 3, etc. Irradiate the surface. By this irradiation, the light beam of the light emitting element 41 is guided in the XY direction inside the light guide layer 40.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the damage avoiding portion 50 is composed of, for example, an insulating portion 51 formed round at the center of each electrode 14 of the sensor layer 10, and faces the plunger 21 of the plunger layer 20 from above. Thus, it functions to prevent the electrode pattern 12 from being damaged due to the deformation of the plunger layer 20 and to prevent the electrical signal from conducting. The insulating part 51 is formed by not screen-printing the conductive ink at the central part of the electrode 14 that is expected to interfere with the plunger 21 during screen printing of the electrode 14.

  In the above configuration, when a predetermined key top 3 is pressed with the finger 4 among the plurality of key tops 3 of the operation layer 1, the sensor layer 10, the plunger layer 20, and the light guide layer 40 are deformed, and the light guide layer 40 is The metal dome 32 of the switch layer 30 is mechanically buckled and deformed to cause a short circuit between the two conductive patterns, thereby realizing a predetermined function of the mobile phone.

  At this time, the central portion of the electrode 14 facing the plunger 21 of the plunger layer 20 is not a conductive portion, but is a non-conductive insulating portion 51 that does not interfere with damage, so that the plunger layer 20 and the plunger 21 are deformed and the electrodes are deformed. Even if it interferes with the center part of 14, the electrode 14 is destroyed by stress and does not have a bad influence on conduction.

Further, when the finger 4 is brought into contact with the operation layer 1 or its key top 3 or is slid in the front / rear / left / right direction, a capacitor is formed between the electrode pattern 12 of the sensor layer 10 and the finger 4, and the capacitance changes. Thus, another function of the mobile phone can be realized.
At this time, other functions of the cellular phone can be realized by changing the capacitance even if another finger 4 is slid or rotated in the front / rear / right / left direction or the like while pressing the key top 3.

  According to the above-described configuration, even if the plunger layer 20 is repeatedly deformed, the plunger 21 of the plunger layer 20 does not adversely affect the conductive portion of the electrode 14 that is opposed, and the detection accuracy is prevented from being lowered. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to effectively eliminate a situation in which the electrode 14 is damaged and the resistance value is increased, or a change in capacitance cannot be detected due to non-conduction. Moreover, since it is not necessary to cancel the opposing relationship between the electrode 14 and the plunger 21, the electrode pattern 12 is present at a place where it is desired to operate intuitively, and a smooth and accurate operational feeling can be obtained.

  Further, the damage avoiding portion 50 is not formed only on the electrode 14 facing the plunger 21 of the plunger layer 20, but the damage avoiding portion 50 having the same size is formed on each electrode 14, so that the capacitance can be made uniform. In addition, the sensor layer 10 can be manufactured quickly and easily. In addition, the sensor layer 10 is not positioned at a position away from the back surface of the operation layer 1 but is stacked in the vicinity of the back surface of the operation layer 1 so that a necessary and sufficiently high capacitance is obtained. Therefore, the detection sensitivity and resolution of the sensor layer 10 can be remarkably improved.

  In addition, the plurality of electrode patterns 12 are not formed of a material having low light transmittance (for example, a material containing copper or silver filler), but a light-transmitting conductive ink (for example, carbon nanowire, silver nanowire, The conductive layer, the ITO ink, the metal oxide, the metal thin film, the metal thin film, and the like are formed transparent, so that the operation layer 1 and its key top 3 and the like do not interfere with light emission. Furthermore, since the light emitting layer 40 of the surface emitting type is used, the sensor layer 10 can be disposed without hindrance over the entire back surface of the operation layer 1, the number of light emitting elements 41 used can be reduced as compared with the prior art, It becomes possible to increase the degree of freedom of arrangement.

Next, FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the damage avoiding portion 50 is disposed at the center portion of the base material 11 of the sensor layer 10, the protective sheet 13, and each electrode 14. A non-conductive through-hole 52 is formed that communicates and is rounded. The other parts are substantially the same as those in the above embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.
Also in this embodiment, the same effect as the above embodiment can be expected, and the configuration of the damage avoiding portion 50 can be diversified with a simple configuration, and a good click feeling can be obtained by the through hole 52. it can.

  Next, FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the operation layer 1 and the plurality of plungers 21 are integrated, the plunger layer 20 is omitted, and the damage avoiding portion of the electrode 14 is shown. 50 is formed in a plurality of through holes 52, and the plunger 21 is loosely fitted in each through hole 52.

  In the operation layer 1, a plurality of plungers 21 are arranged in the rear surface XY direction of the sheet 2, and each plunger 21 is formed in a columnar shape or a truncated cone shape by a hard resin and contacts the surface of the light guide layer 40. The height of the plunger 21 is set in consideration of the thickness of the sensor layer 10 and the stroke of the metal dome 32 (for example, about 0.2 mm). The sensor layer 10 faces the surface of the light guide layer 40 through a gap due to the omission of the plunger layer 20. The other parts are substantially the same as those in the above embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  In this embodiment, the same effect as that of the above embodiment can be expected, and the plunger 21 is fitted into the through hole 52, so that the metal dome 32 is appropriately deformed by guiding the plunger 21 in the through hole 52. Obviously you can.

  In the above embodiment, the plurality of electrode patterns 12 are arranged in the surface XY direction of the base material 11 of the sensor layer 10, but the plurality of electrode patterns 12 are arranged in the surface X direction of the base material 11. A plurality of electrode patterns 12 may be arranged in the rear surface Y direction. In addition, a plurality of electrode patterns 12 are arranged in the surface X direction of the base material 11, and a plurality of electrode patterns 12 are arranged in the surface Y direction of another base material 11. You may make it oppose and you may adhere. Further, the protective sheet 13 of the sensor layer 10 may be omitted.

  The electrode 14 of the sensor layer 10 can be formed in a planar rectangle, polygon, triangle, circle, or the like. Further, the plunger 21 can be formed in a columnar shape, a prismatic shape, or the like, and may be separate from the plunger layer 20 sheet. If the illumination of the operation layer 1 is not hindered, a plurality of optical patterns are not formed on the surface of the light guide layer 40, but a plurality of optical patterns are formed on the back surface of the light guide layer 40. It is also possible. Furthermore, the insulation part 51 of the damage avoidance part 50 can also be formed in a plane rectangle, a polygon, an ellipse, etc. as needed. The insulating portion 51 may be formed by etching the central portion of the electrode 14.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Operation layer 3 Key top 10 Sensor layer 11 Base material 12 Electrode pattern 14 Electrode 15 Conductive line 20 Plunger layer 21 Plunger 30 Switch layer 31 Circuit board 32 Metal dome (switch)
40 Light guide layer 41 Light emitting element (light source)
50 Damage avoidance part 51 Insulation part 52 Through hole (hole)

Claims (1)

An insulating operation layer in which the key top is pressed, a capacitance type sensor layer laminated on the operation layer and covered by the operation layer , and a switch in the switch layer by pressing the key top in the operation layer An input sensor switch comprising: a plunger that deforms the light guide layer; and a light guide layer that is interposed between the operation layer and the switch layer, guides light from a light source, and irradiates the light toward the operation layer .
At least part of the operation layer, the sensor layer, and the light guide layer are each provided with light transparency, and the sensor layer and the light guide layer are respectively provided with flexibility.
The sensor layer includes an insulating base material laminated on the back surface of the operation layer and a conductive electrode pattern formed on the base material, and the electrode pattern is arranged between a plurality of electrodes arranged at intervals. Formed by connecting through conductive lines, drilled through each non-conductive through hole in the base material and the plurality of electrodes,
An input sensor switch , wherein a plurality of plungers are arranged on the back surface of the operation layer, and each plunger is loosely fitted into a non-conductive through hole of the sensor layer so as to contact the surface of the light guide layer .

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