JP6877861B2 - Touch panel - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a touch panel (touch panel with a pressure sensitive function) capable of detecting a pressing force in addition to a pressing position on the operating surface when the user touches the operating surface with a finger or a stylus.

As the touch panel as described above, the device described in Patent Document 1 is known. The device of Patent Document 1 includes a touch panel 2 having a configuration in which a pair of polyester film substrates 2a and 2b having electrodes 2c and 2d formed in a striped shape are arranged to face each other via a dot-shaped spacer (Patent Document 1). 1). Then, the flexible touch panel 2 is arranged so as to be in close contact with the flat pressure sensor 1 (see FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1).

In the device of Patent Document 1, when the user touches the operation surface of the touch panel 2 with a finger or the like, the electrodes 2c and 2d located at the touched portion come into contact with each other and become conductive. Utilizing this, the intersection position of the electrodes 2c and 2d is detected as a pressing position on the operation surface. Further, at that time, since the flexible touch panel 2 is partially deformed only at the pressing position to press the pressure-sensitive sensor 1, the pressing force on the operation surface is applied according to the output value from the pressure-sensitive sensor 1. Detected. This makes it possible to input the position information on the operation surface and the pressing pressure information at the same time.

However, in the device of Patent Document 1, the touch panel 2 for detecting the pressing position on the operating surface and the pressure-sensitive sensor 1 for detecting the pressing force on the operating surface are configured as separate members, and these are further formed in the thickness direction. Are stacked in series. Therefore, there is a problem that the thickness of the device as a whole is large.

Therefore, a thin touch panel having a pressure-sensitive function has also been proposed (Patent Document 2). In the touch panel of Patent Document 2, the elastically deformable panel member 10 and the first electrode 22 arranged so as to be arranged in the X-axis direction and whose self-capacity or mutual capacitance changes according to the proximity / separation of the object to be detected, Between the second electrode 32, which is arranged so as to be aligned in the Y-axis direction and whose self-capacity or mutual capacitance changes according to the proximity / separation of the object to be detected, and between the first electrodes 22 or between the second electrodes 32. A third electrode 42, which is arranged and whose electrical resistance changes according to a change in posture, is provided (see FIG. 3 of Patent Document 2).

According to the configuration of Patent Document 2, the third electrode 42 for detecting the pressing force on the operating surface is one of the first electrode 22 and the second electrode 32 for detecting the pressing position on the operating surface. Placed between. That is, by effectively utilizing the region between the first electrodes 22 adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction or the region between the second electrodes 32 adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction, the third electrode 42 becomes the third electrode 42. It is arranged in the same plane as any one of the 1 electrode 22 and the 2nd electrode 32. Therefore, even when the third electrode 42 is added to impart the pressure sensitive function to the capacitive touch panel provided with the first electrode 22 and the second electrode 32, the thickness of the entire device does not increase.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-61592 JP-A-2015-041160

However, in the touch panel of Patent Document 2, when a temperature change occurs, the electrical resistance of the third electrode 42 for detecting the pressing force on the operation surface also changes due to this temperature change. Therefore, there is a problem that the pressing force is detected even if the pressing force does not change the posture of the third electrode 42, and accurate pressing cannot be detected.
The temperature change is caused by the heat of the finger when the finger comes into contact with the operation surface being transferred to the third electrode 42.

An object of the present invention is to solve the problem of resistance change caused by temperature change in a touch panel with a pressure sensitive function so that the pressing force can be measured accurately.

Hereinafter, a plurality of aspects will be described as means for solving the problem. These aspects can be arbitrarily combined as needed.

The touch panel according to the viewpoint of the present invention includes a panel member, a first electrode, a second electrode, a third electrode, and a fourth electrode.
The panel member has an operating surface and is elastically deformable.
A plurality of first electrodes are arranged in parallel with each other so as to be arranged on the side opposite to the operation surface of the panel member in the first direction (for example, in the X-axis direction) with a predetermined interval, and depending on the proximity / separation of the object to be detected. Self-capacity or mutual capacity changes.
The second electrodes are arranged in parallel with each other so as to face the plurality of first electrodes and are arranged in a second direction (for example, the Y-axis direction) intersecting with the first direction at predetermined intervals. The self-capacity or mutual capacity changes depending on the proximity / separation.
The third electrode is arranged parallel to each other so as to be aligned in the first direction between the plurality of first electrodes, or is arranged parallel to each other so as to be arranged in the second direction between the plurality of second electrodes. , The electrical resistance changes in response to changes in attitude and temperature.
The fourth electrode is arranged so as to extend along each of the plurality of third electrodes, and the electrical resistance changes in response to a change in posture and a change in temperature.
Further, the resistance change rate due to the temperature change of the fourth electrode is the same as the resistance change rate due to the temperature change of the third electrode.
Further, the resistance change rate due to the attitude change of the fourth electrode is 90% or less of the resistance change rate due to the attitude change of the third electrode during the attitude change at room temperature.

In the present application, the "self-capacitance" of the first electrode and the second electrode represents the capacitance of each electrode alone. Further, the “mutual capacitance” represents a capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode.

According to this feature configuration, it is possible to determine the position (referred to as "touch position") of a user's finger or the like that is in contact with or close to the operation surface of the panel member, as in the conventional capacitive touch panel. .. That is, the touch position in the XY coordinate system on the operation surface is appropriate based on the change in the self-capacity of each of the first electrode and the second electrode, or the change in the mutual capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode. Can be decided.

Further, when the user touches the operation surface of the panel member with a finger or the like, the panel member is elastically deformed, and the one or more third electrodes and the fourth electrode are also deformed accordingly. At this time, the electrical resistance of the third electrode and the fourth electrode changes according to the deformation (posture change), but at the same time, the electrical resistance also changes according to the temperature change.

However, the rate of change in resistance due to the temperature change of the fourth electrode is the same as the rate of change in resistance due to the change in temperature of the third electrode, and the rate of change in resistance due to the change in attitude of the fourth electrode is the third during the change in attitude at room temperature. Since it is 90% or less of the resistance change rate due to the change in the attitude of the electrode, it is possible to correct (temperature compensation) the detection result including the change in the electrical resistance due to the temperature change of the third electrode. That is, the change in the electric resistance of the third electrode and the change in the electric resistance of the fourth electrode arranged so as to extend along each of the third electrodes are detected. Then, at the time of pressing, the difference between the resistance change rate of the third electrode and the resistance change rate of the fourth electrode located near the third electrode and having a smaller resistance change rate than the third electrode is obtained. The magnitude of the pressing force on the operating surface can be appropriately determined according to the difference.
Further, by specifying the third electrode in which the resistance change is detected, it is possible to determine the pressing force for each pressing position along the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction on the operation surface.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.

As one embodiment, it is preferable that the third electrode and the fourth electrode have the following patterns.
That is, the pattern of the third electrode is a linear pattern.
On the other hand, the pattern of the fourth electrode is a pattern in which the resistance wires constituting the fourth electrode are folded back in a zigzag shape in a plan view. The pattern of the fourth electrode has a plurality of overlapping portions formed parallel to each other. Further, the arrangement direction of the plurality of overlapping portions coincides with the extending direction of the fourth electrode.

According to this configuration, in the plurality of overlapping portions perpendicular to the extension direction of the fourth electrode, the change in electrical resistance does not occur in response to the change in posture, and the posture of the fourth electrode is only the folded portion connecting the overlapping portions. Since the electrical resistance changes according to the change, even if the third electrode and the fourth electrode are made of the same material, the resistance change rate of the fourth electrode detected at the time of pressing is the resistance of the third electrode which is a linear pattern. It is smaller than the rate of change. That is, it is possible to make a difference between the resistance change rate of the third electrode and the resistance change rate of the fourth electrode at the time of pressing only by the difference in the pattern.
Since the third electrode does not have a width in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction unlike the fourth electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode, and the fourth electrode can be packed and arranged. As a result, the detection accuracy of the pressing position and the pressing pressure can be improved.

As one embodiment, it is preferable that the width of the resistance wire folded in a zigzag shape in a plan view constituting the fourth electrode is narrowed at the overlapping portion and widened at the folded portion connecting the overlapping portions.

According to this configuration, by making the width of the folded portion of the resistance wire constituting the 4th electrode wider than that of the overlapping portion, the resistance change rate of the 4th electrode detected at the time of pressing is increased between the overlapping portion and the folded portion. It is smaller than the case of the same width. Therefore, the difference between the resistance change rate of the third electrode and the resistance change rate of the fourth electrode at the time of pressing becomes large, so that more accurate detection becomes easier.
On the other hand, since the width of the resistance wire constituting the fourth electrode is thick at the folded-back portion, the durability of the folded-back portion is improved against stress concentration.

As one embodiment, it is preferable that the first electrode to the fourth electrode have the following pattern.
That is, the pattern of the electrodes formed on the same surface as the third electrode and the fourth electrode among the first electrode and the second electrode is a mesh pattern. Specifically, the mesh pattern has a rectangular grid consisting of fine lines in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The rectangular region with the adjacent set of overlapping portions of the pattern of the fourth electrode as opposite sides and the grid pattern of the mesh pattern are the same or approximate size, and are the same or approximate size.
Further, the electrode having a mesh pattern, the third electrode, and the fourth electrode are close to each other.
In addition, the grid and rectangular areas are regularly arranged as a whole.

According to this configuration, the pattern of the electrodes formed on the same surface as the third electrode and the fourth electrode among the first electrode and the second electrode is a mesh pattern, so that the visibility of the touch panel is excellent.
Further, since the rectangular region having the adjacent set of overlapping portions of the pattern of the fourth electrode as the opposite side is visually assimilated with the grid pattern of the mesh pattern, the phenomenon that the electrode pattern is visually recognized, that is, the so-called bone appearance. The phenomenon can be suppressed.

As one embodiment, it is preferable that the first electrode to the fourth electrode have the following pattern.
That is, the pattern of the third electrode is a pattern in which the resistance wires constituting the third electrode are folded back in a zigzag shape in a plan view. The pattern of the third electrode has a plurality of overlapping portions formed parallel to each other. Further, the arrangement direction of the plurality of overlapping portions coincides with the extending direction of the third electrode.
On the other hand, the pattern of the fourth electrode is a pattern in which the resistance wires constituting the fourth electrode are folded back in a zigzag shape in a plan view. The pattern of the fourth electrode has a plurality of overlapping portions formed parallel to each other. Further, it is a pattern in which the arrangement direction of the plurality of overlapping portions coincides with the extending direction of the fourth electrode. The folding back of the pattern of the third electrode and the pattern of the fourth electrode has a synchronized period.
Further, the pattern of the electrodes formed on the same surface as the third electrode and the fourth electrode among the first electrode and the second electrode is a mesh pattern. Specifically, the mesh pattern has a rectangular grid consisting of fine lines in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The rectangular region having the adjacent pair of overlapping portions of the patterns of the third electrode and the fourth electrode as opposite sides and the grid pattern of the mesh pattern have the same or approximate shape and the same or approximate size.
Further, the electrodes having a mesh pattern, the third electrode, and the fourth electrode are in close proximity to each other.
Further, the grid and rectangular regions are regularly arranged in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction as a whole.

According to this configuration, the pattern of the electrodes formed on the same surface as the third electrode and the fourth electrode among the first electrode and the second electrode is a mesh pattern, so that the visibility of the touch panel is excellent.
Further, a rectangular region having a pair of adjacent overlapping portions of the patterns of the third electrode and the fourth electrode as opposite sides is visually assimilated with the grid of the mesh pattern, so that the electrode pattern is visually recognized. , The so-called bone vision phenomenon can be suppressed.
Compared with the above-mentioned mode in which the third electrode has a linear pattern, in this mode, the fourth electrode and the third electrode have a double line (mesh pattern) in the vicinity of the folded portion connecting the overlapping portions of the patterns of the fourth electrode. If the thin line of is included, it does not form a triple line). Therefore, the assimilation of the mesh pattern with the grid is more natural.

As one embodiment, in the configuration for suppressing the bone visibility phenomenon, the line widths of the resistance lines folded in a zigzag shape in a plan view constituting each of the third electrode and the fourth electrode have the following relationship. Suitable.
That is, the line width of the resistance wire constituting the third electrode is thick at the overlapping portion and thin at the folded portion connecting the overlapping portions. On the other hand, the line width of the resistance wire constituting the fourth electrode is thin at the overlapping portion and thick at the folded portion connecting the overlapping portions.

According to this configuration, the width of the resistance wire constituting the third electrode is narrow at the folded-back portion, contrary to the fourth electrode, so that the cross-sectional area of the folded-back portion becomes small. As described above, the resistance wire folded back in a zigzag shape in a plan view does not change the electrical resistance according to the attitude change in the plurality of overlapping parts, and responds to the attitude change only in the folded part connecting the overlapping parts. There is a change in electrical resistance. Therefore, even if the third electrode and the fourth electrode are made of the same material, the resistance change rate of the fourth electrode having a thick folded portion detected at the time of pressing is smaller than the resistance change rate of the third electrode having a thin folded portion. That is, it is possible to make a difference between the resistance change rate of the third electrode and the resistance change rate of the fourth electrode at the time of pressing only by the difference in the pattern.

Further, with respect to either the third electrode or the fourth electrode described in the preceding paragraph, the line width of the resistance wire constituting the electrode may be replaced with the same width in the overlapping portion and the folded portion.

When either the third electrode or the fourth electrode is replaced with the same width in this way, even if the third electrode and the fourth electrode are made of the same material, the resistance change rate of the fourth electrode detected at the time of pressing is the second. It is still smaller than the resistance change rate of the three electrodes. That is, also in this case, the difference between the resistance change rate of the third electrode and the resistance change rate of the fourth electrode at the time of pressing can be generated only by the difference in the pattern.

As one embodiment, it is preferable that the folded portion of the resistance wire folded back in a zigzag shape in a plan view constituting each of the third electrode and the fourth electrode is curvedly folded back.

According to this configuration, stress concentration when an extension force is applied to the third electrode and the fourth electrode can be relaxed, and the occurrence of cracks can be suppressed.

As one embodiment, it is preferable that the folded portion of the resistance wire folded back in a zigzag shape in a plan view constituting each of the third electrode and the fourth electrode is linearly folded back.

According to this configuration, the width of the third electrode and the fourth electrode in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction is smaller than that of the curvedly folded configuration, so that the second electrode, the third electrode, and the fourth electrode Can be packed and lined up. As a result, the detection accuracy of the pressing position and the pressing pressure can be improved.

In one embodiment, it is preferable that the fourth electrode is made of the same material as the third electrode, which has a different pattern from the fourth electrode.

According to this configuration, the third electrode and the fourth electrode can be formed at the same time, and the process is simple.

As one embodiment, it is preferable that the plurality of third electrodes and the plurality of fourth electrodes are formed in a zigzag shape as a whole in a plan view.
That is, a plurality of third electrodes are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other, and the third electrodes are alternately connected at one side end portion and the other side end portion in the extending direction thereof.
On the other hand, a plurality of fourth electrodes are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other, and the fourth electrodes are alternately connected at one side end portion and the other side end portion in the extending direction thereof.

According to this configuration, since a plurality of third electrodes are connected to each other and connected to one as a whole, the magnitude of the pressing force on the operation surface can be easily determined by setting the whole as a detection target. .. In particular, in the case of a single touch in which only one point contacts the operation surface, the magnitude of the pressing force at that one point can be easily determined. If the specifications require that the pressure-sensitive function be exhibited only at the time of a single touch, the circuit for detecting the electric resistance of the third electrode can be significantly simplified, and the cost can be reduced.
Since the plurality of fourth electrodes are for temperature compensating the detection result of the third electrode based on the detection result of the fourth electrode, the same connection as that of the plurality of third electrodes is performed.

As one embodiment, it is preferable that the third electrode and the fourth electrode are formed on the same surface as the electrodes of the first electrode and the second electrode which are arranged on the opposite side of the panel member.

According to this configuration, the third electrode and the fourth electrode are arranged at positions farther from the neutral axis of the entire first electrode, the second electrode, and the panel member. Therefore, when a pressing force is applied to the operation surface and the first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode, the fourth electrode, and the panel member are elastically deformed integrally, the deformation of the third electrode and the fourth electrode is performed. The degree of (change in posture) becomes relatively large. Therefore, the detection sensitivity of the pressing force can be increased, and as a result, the detection accuracy of the pressing force can be improved.

As one embodiment, the detection results by the first resistance detection unit that detects the electrical resistance of the plurality of third electrodes, the second resistance detection unit that detects the electrical resistance of the plurality of fourth electrodes, and the second resistance detection unit Based on the temperature compensating unit that corrects the detection result by the first resistance detection unit and the value after correction by the temperature compensation unit of the detection result by the first resistance detection unit, the pressing force that determines the pressing force on the operation surface. The determination unit further includes a storage unit that stores in advance the relational information that defines the correlation between the pressing force on the operation surface and the amount of change in electrical resistance from the non-pressing state, and the pressing force determining unit is said to be described above. It is preferable to determine the pressing force according to the actual amount of change in electrical resistance based on the relationship information and the actual amount of change in electrical resistance.

According to this configuration, the pressing force on the operation surface is based on the relational information prepared in advance in the storage unit by the cooperation of the first resistance detecting unit, the second resistance detecting unit, the temperature compensating unit, and the pressing pressure determining unit. Can be determined easily and appropriately.

As one embodiment, the pressing force determining unit gives a maximum resistance change among the plurality of third electrodes when pressing the operation surface with the electric resistance in the non-pressing state as a reference value (= 0). It is preferable to determine the pressing force according to the amount of change in the resistance of the electrode.

According to this configuration, the pressing force on the operating surface can be appropriately determined by a relatively simple arithmetic process. That is, the pressing force can be determined easily and appropriately.

As one embodiment, the pressing force determining unit is positioned at each position in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction based on the relationship between the positions of the plurality of third electrodes in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction and the resistance actually detected during the pressing operation. It is preferable to obtain the estimated resistance in the above and determine the pressing force according to the peak value of the estimated resistance.

According to this configuration, the pressing force on the operating surface can be determined in more detail. That is, the pressing force can be determined with high accuracy.

In one embodiment, the shape of the panel member may be rectangular, and the extending direction of the third electrode may be parallel to the short side of the panel member.
According to this configuration, most of the pressing force applied in the vertical direction of the panel member is transmitted to the support end on the long side of the panel member, that is, in the short side direction. Then, the stress extending in the extending direction of the third electrode and the fourth electrode parallel to the short side of the panel member is effectively applied.

The touch panel with a pressure-sensitive function according to the present invention can accurately measure the pressing force by solving the problem of the resistance change caused by the temperature change.

Perspective view of an electronic device equipped with a touch panel with a pressure-sensitive function II-II sectional view in FIG. An exploded perspective view of the touch panel Schematic diagram showing one aspect of the connection form of a plurality of electrodes An enlarged view showing one aspect of a pair of patterns composed of a third electrode and a fourth electrode. Schematic diagram showing the connection relationship between each first electrode and each second electrode and the control unit. Schematic diagram showing the connection relationship between each third electrode and each fourth electrode and the control unit. Block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit Graph showing an example of correction in the temperature compensation unit Schematic diagram showing deformation of the touch panel due to pressing operation Schematic diagram showing an example of the resistance detected by each third electrode with the pressing operation Schematic diagram showing an example of the resistance detected by each third electrode with the pressing operation Relationship map showing the relationship between the amount of change in resistance and the pressing force Conceptual diagram showing the state of electric lines of force between the second electrode and the first electrode Flow chart showing the flow of pressing position and pressing pressure detection processing An enlarged view showing another aspect of the paired pattern including the third electrode and the fourth electrode. Schematic diagram showing another aspect of the connection form of a plurality of electrodes A partially enlarged view showing an aspect of visual assimilation of the third electrode and the fourth electrode with respect to the electrode having a mesh pattern. A partially enlarged view showing another aspect of visual assimilation of the third and fourth electrodes with respect to the electrodes having a mesh pattern. A partially enlarged view showing another aspect of visual assimilation of the third and fourth electrodes with respect to the electrodes having a mesh pattern. The schematic diagram which shows one aspect of the connection form of a touch sensor. Schematic plan view of the resistance line pattern of the pressure sensor. Schematic plan view of the resistance line pattern of the pressure sensor. Schematic plan view of the resistance line pattern of the pressure sensor. Schematic plan view of the resistance line pattern of the pressure sensor. Sectional drawing of the electronic device of 9th Embodiment.

1. 1. 1st Embodiment (1) Basic configuration of a touch panel An embodiment of a touch panel according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The touch panel 5 according to the present embodiment includes an electronic device 1 such as a mobile phone or a portable game machine, a center information display (CID: Center Information Display), a cluster (Cruster: Instrument Cruster), and a rear seat entertainment (RSE) used in an automobile interior. : Real Seat Information) is provided in an in-vehicle display and functions as a touch input device.
In the present embodiment, the touch panel 5 mounted on the multifunctional mobile phone (smartphone) as a kind of the electronic device 1 will be described as an example. In the following description, the side on which the input surface (operation surface 10a described later) of the touch panel 5 as the touch input device is located is referred to as the “front side”. This "front side" is also the side facing the user who operates the electronic device 1. On the contrary, the back side when viewed from the user who operates the electronic device 1 is referred to as a "back side".

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electronic device 1 of the present embodiment has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 3, a display device 4 built in the housing 3, and a display device 4 on the front side. It is provided with rectangular touch panels 5 arranged on top of each other. The housing 3 is made of synthetic resin. The housing 3 is provided with a recess 3a that opens in a rectangular shape toward the front side. The recess 3a is formed so as to have a step, and the step portion functions as a support portion 3b that supports the touch panel 5 from the back surface side. The support portion 3b is formed in a rectangular frame shape (frame shape) corresponding to the shape of the recess 3a. The display device 4 is housed in the area on the back side of the support portion 3b, and the touch panel 5 is housed in the area on the front side side while being supported by the support part 3b. The display device 4 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL display panel.
The shape and dimensions of the recess 3a can be appropriately set according to the shape and dimensions of the display device 4 and the touch panel 5. In the present embodiment, as an example, both the display device 4 and the touch panel 5 have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the dimensions in a plan view (viewed from the front side) of the touch panel 5 are larger than those of the display device 4. Is bigger. The recess 3a is such that the side surface of the first storage recess and the side surface of the display device 4 are in contact with each other, the side surface of the second storage recess is in contact with the side surface of the touch panel 5, and the surface of the display device 4 and the surface of the support portion 3b are in contact with each other. Is formed to have substantially the same height, and the surface of the housing 3 and the surface of the touch panel 5 are formed to have substantially the same height.

In the present embodiment, the touch panel 5 detects a position (referred to as “touch position”) corresponding to the user's finger or the like when the user's finger or the stylus or the like operated by the user approaches or comes into contact with the operation surface 10a. It is configured as follows. Further, when the user actually touches the operation surface 10a with a finger or the like, the touch panel 5 simultaneously detects the magnitude of the pressing force on the operation surface 10a in addition to the touch position (pressing position on the operation surface 10a). It is configured to do. That is, the touch panel 5 according to the present embodiment is configured as a touch panel with a pressure sensitive function.
In the touch panel 5 according to the present embodiment, the portion that detects the touch position is referred to as the touch sensor 5a, and the portion that detects the magnitude of the pressing force is referred to as the pressure sensor 5b.

As shown in FIG. 3, the touch panel 5 includes a panel member 10, a first electrode forming member 20, a second electrode forming member 30, and a support member 50. These are laminated in the order described from the front side to the back side. The support member 50 is arranged on the support portion 3b of the housing 3, the second electrode forming member 30 is arranged on the support member 50, and the first electrode forming member 20 is arranged on the second electrode forming member 30. The panel member 10 is arranged on the first electrode forming member 20 (see FIG. 2). These are bonded to each other by, for example, a pressure-sensitive adhesive (Pressure Sensitive Adhesive; PSA) or the like.

Further, in the present embodiment, the panel member 10, the first electrode forming member 20, and the second electrode forming member 30 are formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view and are overlapped with each other. Then, the direction along the short side of the four sides forming the rectangle is defined as the "X-axis direction" in the present embodiment, and is along the long side intersecting the short side (orthogonal in this example). The direction is defined as "Y-axis direction" in this embodiment. In the present embodiment, an XY coordinate system (XY orthogonal coordinate system) is configured based on the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction that are orthogonal to each other. The XY coordinate system may be configured based on the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction that intersect each other at non-right angles.

(2) Panel member The panel member 10 is a plate-shaped member arranged on the frontmost side of the touch panel 5. The panel member 10 has an operation surface 10a on the front surface thereof. The operation surface 10a is a surface that is touched (becomes an operation target) by the user's finger or the like when the user inputs a predetermined operation to the electronic device 1. Further, the operation surface 10a functions as a view area of the display device 4. The outer circumference of the operation surface 10a is an outer circumference area 10b.
In the present embodiment, the panel member 10 functions as a protective panel that protects the first electrode forming member 20 and the second electrode forming member 30. The panel member 10 preferably has transparency, scratch resistance, antifouling property, and the like. Such a panel member 10 can be made of, for example, a glass plate using soda glass, tempered glass, or the like, and is a thin glass plate in the present embodiment. In addition to this, the panel member 10 may be configured by using a resin material such as polymethylmethacrylate or polycarbonate, an organic-inorganic hybrid material, or the like. By using a material having excellent strength, the panel member 10 can be made thinner. The thickness of the panel member 10 can be, for example, 0.4 mm to 1.5 mm. Further, although the panel member 10 is originally elastically deformable, there is an advantage that the panel member 10 is easily elastically deformed by making it thinner.

According to this configuration, a large amount of the pressing force applied in the vertical direction of the panel member is transmitted to the support end on the long side of the panel member, that is, in the short side direction, so that the third electrode and the fourth electrode are extended. The stress extending in the direction is effectively applied. Therefore, the detection sensitivity of the pressing force can be increased. The two-way transmission of stress is from 1.0 to 1.5 on the long side / short side, and when the long side / short side exceeds 2.0 and becomes elongated, the force flows only in the short side direction.

(3) Touch sensor (3-1) First electrode forming member The first electrode forming member 20 is a first of a first substrate 21 and a plurality of (eight in this example) formed on the first substrate 21. It has an electrode 22.
(A) First substrate The first substrate 21 is preferably made of a material having excellent transparency, flexibility, insulation and the like. Materials that satisfy such requirements include, for example, general-purpose resins such as polyethylene terephthalate and acrylic resins, general-purpose engineering resins such as polyacetal resins and polycarbonate resins, and super-engineering resins such as polysulfone resins and polyphenylene sulfide resins. Is exemplified. In addition, a cycloolefin resin or a polyamide resin may be used. The thickness of the first substrate 21 can be, for example, 25 μm to 100 μm. In the present embodiment, the first substrate 21 is composed of a polyethylene terephthalate film.

(B) First Electrode In the present embodiment, the first electrode 22 is formed on the front surface side (panel member 10 side) surface of the first substrate 21 so as to correspond to the operation surface 10a. The plurality of first electrodes 22 are arranged in parallel with each other so as to be arranged at predetermined intervals in the X-axis direction. In the present embodiment, the first electrode 22 is formed in a striped shape (a straight line having a constant width). The first electrode 22 may be formed in a wavy or zigzag shape, for example. In any case, each of the first electrodes 22 is formed so as to extend along the Y-axis direction as a whole. The first electrode 22 is made of a material whose capacitance changes according to the proximity / separation of a non-detected object (a conductor such as a user's finger). In addition, "capacitance" is a concept including both self-capacitance (self capacity), mutual capacity (mutual capacity), and mutual capacity (mutual capacity). That is, the first electrode 22 is made of a material whose self-capacity or mutual capacitance with the second electrode 32 changes according to the proximity / separation of the non-detected object. Further, it is preferable that the first electrode 22 is made of a material having excellent transparency. Materials that satisfy such requirements include, for example, tin oxide, indium oxide, antimony oxide, zinc oxide, cadmium oxide, and metal oxides such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), silver nanowires, carbon nanotubes, and conductive polymers. Etc. are exemplified. When the first electrode 22 is a transparent conductive film constructed by using these materials, the thickness thereof can be, for example, 5 nm to 10000 nm.

Further, the first electrode 22 may be a mesh electrode. The mesh electrode has a mesh pattern or a lattice pattern composed of fine wires. As the material used for the mesh electrode, for example, in addition to the above-mentioned conductive material having excellent transparency, a metal having sufficient conductivity such as gold, silver, copper, iron, nickel, and chromium that can sufficiently function as an electrode for a touch panel. To use.

As a method for forming the first electrode 22, for example, a method of forming a conductive film made of the above-mentioned electrode material on the entire surface of the first substrate 21 and then etching and removing unnecessary portions is exemplified. The entire surface of the conductive film can be formed by, for example, a vacuum vapor deposition method, a sputtering method, an ion plating method, a CVD method, a roll coater method, or the like. Etching can be performed by forming a resist on a portion to be left as an electrode by a photolithography method, a screen printing method, or the like, and then immersing the resist in an etching solution such as hydrochloric acid. Further, etching is performed by injecting an etching solution after forming the resist to remove the conductive film in the portion where the resist is not formed, and then swelling or dissolving the resist by immersing it in a solvent to remove it. You can also do it. Etching can also be performed by a laser.

(3-2) Second Electrode Forming Member The second electrode forming member 30 has a second substrate 31 and a plurality of (eight in this example) second electrodes 32 formed on the second substrate 31. ..
(A) Second substrate The second substrate 31 is also preferably made of a material having excellent transparency, flexibility, insulation and the like. The materials constituting the second substrate 31 and the thickness of the second substrate 31 can be considered in the same manner as the first substrate 21.

(B) Second Electrode In the present embodiment, the second electrode 32 is formed on the front surface side (panel member 10 and first electrode forming member 20 side) of the second substrate 31. The plurality of second electrodes 32 are arranged so as to face the plurality of first electrodes 22 at predetermined intervals in the thickness direction. Further, the plurality of second electrodes 32 are arranged in parallel with each other so as to be arranged at predetermined intervals in the Y-axis direction. In the present embodiment, the second electrode 32 is formed in a striped shape (a straight line having a constant width). The second electrode 32 may be formed in a wavy or zigzag shape, for example. In any case, each of the second electrodes 32 is formed so as to extend along the X-axis direction as a whole. As a result, the first electrode 22 and the second electrode 32 are arranged so as to intersect each other (orthogonally in this example) in a plan view. Like the first electrode 22, the second electrode 32 is made of a material whose capacitance changes according to the proximity / separation of the non-detected object. The second electrode 32 is constructed by using a material whose self-capacity or mutual capacitance with the first electrode 22 changes according to the proximity / separation of the non-detected object. Further, it is preferable that the second electrode 32 is made of a material having excellent transparency. The material constituting the second electrode 32 and the thickness of the second electrode 32 can be considered in the same manner as the first electrode 22. Further, the method of forming the second electrode 32 can be considered in the same manner as that of the first electrode 22.

In the present embodiment, each of the plurality of first electrodes 22 is arranged on the first substrate 21 in an island shape so as to be separated from each other without being connected to each other. Similarly, each of the plurality of second electrodes 32 is also arranged in an island shape on the second substrate 31 so as to be separated from each other without being connected to each other. The plurality of first electrodes 22 and the plurality of second electrodes 32 are arranged so as to form a grid in a plan view as a whole (see FIG. 6). The plurality of first electrodes 22 and the plurality of second electrodes 32 constitute a general capacitive touch panel. A first substrate 21 exists between the first electrode 22 and the second electrode 32, and the first electrode 22 and the second electrode 32 are arranged via the first substrate 21 in the thickness direction. There is. In the present embodiment, since there is no air gap between the first electrode 22 and the second electrode 32, the optical characteristics can be improved. That is, it is possible to suppress the reflection of light and suppress the decrease in transmittance.

(4) Pressure sensor A pressure sensor 5b will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the pressure sensor 5b further has a plurality of third electrodes 42 formed on the second substrate 31 (in this example, seven electrodes corresponding to the number between the second electrodes 32). ..
The third electrode 42 is formed on the front surface (panel member 10 and first electrode forming member 20 side) of the second substrate 31. The third electrodes 42 are arranged parallel to each other so as to be arranged at predetermined intervals in the Y-axis direction. One third electrode 42 is arranged between the second electrodes 32 adjacent to each other, and the respective electrodes 42a to 42g of the third electrode 42 extend along the X-axis direction as a whole. (See FIG. 4). Similar to the second electrode 32, the plurality of third electrodes 42 are arranged so as to face the plurality of first electrodes 22 at predetermined intervals in the thickness direction.
In FIG. 3, the short side of the panel member 10 is parallel to the extending direction of the third electrode 42. According to this configuration, most of the pressing force applied in the vertical direction of the panel member 10 is transmitted to the support end on the long side of the panel member 10, that is, in the short side direction, so that the extending direction of the third electrode 42 The stress extending to is effectively applied. Therefore, the detection sensitivity of the pressing force can be increased.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the pressure sensor 5b has a plurality of fourth electrodes 82 formed on the second substrate 31 (in this example, seven electrodes corresponding to the number between the second electrodes 32). Have more.
The fourth electrode 82 is formed on the front surface (panel member 10 and first electrode forming member 20 side) of the second substrate 31. The fourth electrode 82 is arranged so as to extend along the third electrode 42. The fourth electrode 82 is arranged one by one in pairs with the third electrode 42 between the second electrodes 32 adjacent to each other. That is, the pair of the second electrode 32, the third electrode 42, and the fourth electrode 82 formed in parallel with each other are alternately arranged in the Y-axis direction with a predetermined interval. In the present embodiment, the fourth electrode 82 is formed in a striped shape (a straight line having a constant width). Each of the electrodes 82a to 82g of the fourth electrode 82 is formed so as to extend along the X-axis direction as a whole (see FIG. 4). Like the second electrode 32 and the third electrode 42, the plurality of fourth electrodes 82 are arranged so as to face the plurality of first electrodes 22 at predetermined intervals in the thickness direction.
As described above, since most of the pressing force applied in the vertical direction of the panel member 10 is transmitted to the support end on the long side of the panel member 10, that is, in the short side direction, the fourth electrode 82 extends. The stress extending in the direction is effectively applied.

(4-1) Schematic Description of Third Electrode The third electrode 42 is composed of a resistance wire made of a material whose electrical resistance changes in response to changes in posture and temperature. Further, it is preferable that the third electrode 42 is made of a material having excellent transparency.
Examples of materials that satisfy such requirements include metal oxides such as tin oxide, indium oxide, antimony oxide, zinc oxide, cadmium oxide, and ITO, silver nanowires, carbon nanotubes, and conductive polymers. .. When the third electrode 4 is a transparent conductive film constructed by using these materials, the thickness thereof can be, for example, 5 nm to 10000 nm.

Further, since the third electrode 42 is a thin wire as described later, it may be configured by using an opaque material. As such a material, for example, metals such as gold, silver, copper, iron, nickel and chromium, and alloys such as nickel copper and nickel chromium are used. In addition, carbon, conductive carbon ink, graphene, and carbon nanotubes may be used.

The method of forming the third electrode 42 can be considered in the same manner as the first electrode 22 and the second electrode 32.

(4-2) Schematic Description of Fourth Electrode The fourth electrode 82 is composed of a resistance wire made of a material whose electrical resistance changes in response to changes in posture and temperature. Further, it is preferable that the fourth electrode 82 is made of a material having excellent transparency.
Examples of materials that satisfy such requirements include metal oxides such as tin oxide, indium oxide, antimony oxide, zinc oxide, cadmium oxide, and ITO, silver nanowires, carbon nanotubes, and conductive polymers. .. When the fourth electrode 82 is a transparent conductive film constructed by using these materials, the thickness thereof can be, for example, 5 nm to 10000 nm.

Further, the fourth electrode 82 may also be configured by using an opaque material like the third electrode 42. As such a material, for example, metals such as gold, silver, copper, iron, nickel and chromium, and alloys such as nickel copper and nickel chromium are used. In addition, carbon, conductive carbon ink, graphene, and carbon nanotubes may be used.

In the present embodiment, the fourth electrode 82 is configured by selecting the same material as the third electrode 42 from the materials exemplified above. Therefore, the rate of change in resistance due to the temperature change of the fourth electrode 82 is the same as the rate of change in resistance due to the temperature change of the third electrode 42.

The method of forming the fourth electrode 82 can be considered in the same manner as the first electrode 22, the second electrode 32, and the third electrode 42.

(4-3) Patterns of 3rd and 4th Electrodes By the way, in FIGS. 3 and 4, the 3rd electrode 42 is drawn in a striped shape (a straight line having a constant width), which is the 3rd electrode 42. It is not the actual pattern of. Since the plurality of electrodes 32, 42, 82 are arranged on the second substrate 31, the third electrode 42 is simplified and expressed in order to make the figure easier to see.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing one aspect of a pair of patterns including the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82. The actual pattern of the third electrode 42 of the present embodiment is a linear pattern as shown in FIG. On the other hand, in the actual pattern of the fourth electrode 82 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of resistance lines constituting the fourth electrode 82 are folded back in a zigzag shape in a plan view and formed parallel to each other. It is a pattern having the overlapping portion 821 of the above, and the arrangement direction of the plurality of overlapping portions 821 coincides with the extending direction (X-axis direction) of the fourth electrode 82.

According to this configuration, in the fourth electrode 82, the electrical resistance does not change in response to the change in posture at the plurality of overlapping portions 821 perpendicular to the extension direction of the fourth electrode 82, and the overlapping portions 821 are folded back to connect with each other. Only the portion 822 causes a change in electrical resistance in response to a change in attitude. Therefore, even if the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 are made of the same material as described above, the resistance change rate of the fourth electrode 82 detected at the time of pressing is a linear pattern of the resistance change rate of the third electrode 42. It becomes smaller than.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, consider a case where the width of the fourth electrode 82 is the same in the overlapped portion 821 and the folded-back portion 822 connecting the overlapping portions 821.
_{The electrical resistance (R 1} ′) of the third electrode 42 of the linear pattern after the resistance change has the following relationship with the original electrical resistance (R ₁ ), strain (ε), and gauge ratio (Ks).
R ₁ '= R ₁ (1 + Ks x ε) (Equation 1)
That is, the amount of change in electrical resistance (ΔR ₁ ) and the rate of change in resistance (ΔR ₁ / R ₁ ) are as shown in the following equations, respectively.
ΔR ₁ = R ₁ × Ks × ε (Equation 2)
ΔR ₁ / R ₁ = Ks × ε (Equation 3)
_{On the other hand, the electrical resistance (R 2} ′) after the resistance change of the fourth electrode 82 of the zigzag pattern of the same width is the original electrical resistance (R ₂ ), strain (ε) and gauge ratio (Ks). The relationship is as follows.
_{R 2 '= R 2/2} + R 2/2 (1 + Ks × ε) ( Equation 4)
Electrical resistance of _R 2/2 overlap portions 821 of the previous section, after the term of _{R 2/2 (1 + Ks} × ε) is the resistance of the folded portion 822. That is, the amount of change in electrical resistance (ΔR ₂ ) and the rate of change in resistance (ΔR ₂ / R ₂ ) are as shown in the following equations, respectively.
_{ΔR 2 = R 2/2 ×} Ks × ε ( Equation 5)
ΔR ₂ / R ₂ = 1/2 × Ks × ε (Equation 6)
Therefore, as is clear from (Equation 3) and (Equation 6), the resistance change rate of the fourth electrode 82 corresponds to 1/2 of the resistance halving rate of the third electrode 42. That is, it is possible to make a difference between the resistance change rate of the third electrode 42 and the resistance change rate of the fourth electrode 82 at the time of pressing only by the difference in the pattern.

Since the third electrode 42 does not have a width in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction like the fourth electrode 82, the second electrode 32, the third electrode 42, and the fourth electrode 82 can be packed and arranged side by side. .. As a result, the detection accuracy of the pressing position and the pressing pressure can be improved.

(4-4) Change in thickness of 4th electrode Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the width of the resistance wire constituting the 4th electrode 82 is narrowed at the overlapping portion 821, and the overlapping portions 821 are connected to each other. It is more preferable to make the folded portion 822 thicker.
By making the width of the folded portion 822 of the resistance wire constituting the fourth electrode 82 wider than that of the overlapping portion 821, the resistance change rate of the fourth electrode 82 detected at the time of pressing becomes the overlapping portion 821 and the folded portion 822. Is smaller than when is the same width.

_{For example, the electrical resistance (R 2} ′) after the resistance change of the fourth electrode 82, which has a zigzag pattern in which the width of the folded portion 822 is thicker than that of the overlapping portion 821, is assumed to be the resistance of the overlapping portion 821 and the folded portion 822 before pressing. Assuming that the ratio is 2: 1, _{the relationship between the original electrical resistance (R 2} ), strain (ε), and gauge ratio (Ks) is as follows.
_{R 2 '= 2R 2/3} + R 2/3 (1 + Ks × ε) ( Equation 7)
The electrical resistance of the previous section of _2R 2/3 is later pressed overlapping portions 821, after the term _{R 2/3 (1 + Ks} × ε) is the resistance of the folded portion 822 after pressing. That is, the amount of change in electrical resistance (ΔR ₂ ) and the rate of change in resistance (ΔR ₂ / R ₂ ) are as shown in the following equations, respectively.
_{ΔR 2 = R 2/3 ×} Ks × ε ( Equation 8)
ΔR ₂ / R ₂ = 1/3 × Ks × ε (Equation 9)
Therefore, as is clear from (Equation 3) and (Equation 9), the resistance change rate of the fourth electrode 82 corresponds to 1/3 of the resistance halving rate of the third electrode 42. That is, since the difference between the resistance change rate of the third electrode 42 and the resistance change rate of the fourth electrode 82 at the time of pressing becomes large, more accurate detection becomes easier.
Further, by increasing the width of the folded-back portion 822 of the resistance wire, the durability of the folded-back portion 822 with respect to stress concentration is increased.

By the way, it is preferable that the fourth electrode 82 of the present invention is configured by using the same material as the third electrode 42 as in the present embodiment.

According to this configuration, it is extremely easy to match the resistance change rates of the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 due to the temperature change.

Further, it is preferable that the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 are made of the same material as the second electrode 32.

According to this configuration, the refractive indexes of the second electrode 32, the third electrode 42, and the fourth electrode 82 are all the same. Similarly, the reflectances of the second electrode 32, the third electrode 42, and the fourth electrode 82 are all the same. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the problem of pattern appearance between the second electrode 32, the third electrode 42, and the fourth electrode 82. Further, since the second electrode 32, the third electrode 42, and the fourth electrode 82 can be formed on the second substrate 21 at the same time, the number of steps can be reduced and the manufacturing process can be simplified.

In the present embodiment, the third electrodes 42 arranged adjacent to each other are connected to each other on the second substrate 31. More specifically, in the plurality of third electrodes 42, the third electrodes 42 arranged adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction are connected to each other via the connection wiring 45, and one side end portion and the other side end portion in the X-axis direction. They are alternately connected to each other and are formed in a zigzag shape in a plan view as a whole (see FIGS. 4 and 7). The connection wiring 45 is configured by using a metal such as gold, silver, copper, and nickel, or a conductive paste such as carbon.

Further, in the present embodiment, the fourth electrodes 82 arranged adjacent to each other are connected to each other on the second substrate 31. More specifically, in the plurality of fourth electrodes 82, the fourth electrodes 82 arranged adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction have one side end portion and the other side end portion in the X-axis direction via the connection wiring 85. They are alternately connected to each other and are formed in a zigzag shape in a plan view as a whole (see FIGS. 4 and 7). The connection wiring 85 is configured by using a metal such as gold, silver, copper, and nickel, or a conductive paste such as carbon, like the connection wiring 45 of the third electrode 42.

(5) Support member The support member 50 supports the panel member 10 from the back surface side (the side where the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 are provided). The support member 50 is a panel member via a first electrode forming member 20 on which the first electrode 22 is formed and a second electrode forming member 30 on which the second electrode 32, the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 are formed. 10 is supported from the back side. The support member 50 is formed in a frame shape. The support member 50 is formed in a rectangular frame shape in a plan view so as to correspond to the shape of the support portion 3b of the housing 3. The support member 50 is provided so as to support the rectangularly formed panel member 10 and the peripheral edges (near each side) of the electrode forming members 20 and 30. The support member 50 is preferably made of a material having both elasticity or flexibility and sturdiness enough to appropriately support the panel member 10 and the like.
Here, in particular, it is preferable that the support member 50 is made of a material softer than the material constituting the panel member 10. In addition, "softness" is a measure showing the magnitude of the amount of deformation with respect to stress, and in the present application, it is evaluated based on Young's modulus. That is, it is preferable that the support member 50 is made of a material having a Young's modulus smaller than that of the material constituting the panel member 10. For example, a material having a Young's modulus of 1 M · Pa or less, preferably 0.5 M · Pa to 1 M · Pa is preferable.

Examples of materials that satisfy such requirements include urethane foam, acrylic foam, silicone rubber, sponge, gel, and the like. It may be a double-sided tape or the like having adhesive layers on both sides. It is preferable that the width dimension of each side constituting the rectangular frame-shaped support member 50 in a plan view is set as narrow as possible within a range in which the panel member 10 and the like can be appropriately supported. The width of the support member 50 can be, for example, 0.4 mm to 2 mm. Further, the thickness of the support member 50 is preferably set to be relatively thick so as to absorb the displacement width due to the elastic deformation of the panel member 10 and the electrode forming members 20 and 30. The thickness of the support member 50 is preferably 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm, for example.

The panel member 10 in which the first electrode 22, the second electrode 32, the third electrode 42, and the fourth electrode 82 are arranged via such a soft and relatively thick frame-shaped support member 50 is a housing. It is supported by the support portion 3b of 3. At this time, when the user touches the operation surface 10a of the panel member 10 with a finger or the like, the inner peripheral side portion of the frame-shaped support member 50 is deformed, and the entire panel member 10 faces the anti-operation surface side. It is elastically deformed so as to be convex (see FIG. 7). That is, the support form of the panel member 10 by the support member 50 is a simple support type. Therefore, it is possible to suppress that only a part of the panel member 10 (specifically, the vicinity of the supported portion supported by the support member 50) is locally deformed and the third electrode 42 is shrunk and deformed. it can. That is, the deformation (posture change) of the third electrode 42 can be substantially limited to the elongation deformation.

(6) Sensor Control Device As shown in FIG. 6, each of the plurality of first electrodes 22 is connected to the control unit 60 via the routing wiring 23. A switch 24 is provided on each of the routing wires 23 extending from the plurality of first electrodes 22. The switch 24 is configured by using a switching element in this embodiment. Each of the plurality of second electrodes 32 is connected to the control unit 60 via the routing wiring 33.
A switch 34 is provided in each of the routing wires 33 extending from the plurality of second electrodes 32. The switch 34 is configured by using a switching element in this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, each of both end portions of the plurality of third electrodes 42 connected to one as a whole is connected to the control unit 60 via the routing wiring 43. Further, each of the connection wirings 45 between the third electrodes 42 adjacent to each other is also connected to the control unit 60 via the routing wiring 43. A switch 44 is provided on each of the third electrodes 42 at both ends in the Y-axis direction and the routing wiring 43 extending from each connecting wiring 45. The switch 44 is configured by using a switching element in this embodiment.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, each of both end portions of the plurality of fourth electrodes 82 connected to one as a whole is connected to the control unit 60 via the routing wiring 83. Further, each of the connection wirings 85 between the fourth electrodes 82 adjacent to each other is also connected to the control unit 60 via the routing wiring 83. A switch 84 is provided on each of the fourth electrodes 82 at both ends in the Y-axis direction and the routing wiring 83 extending from each connecting wiring 85. The switch 84 is configured by using a switching element in this embodiment.

(6-1) Switching element Examples of the switching element include IGBTs (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors), MOSFETs (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Filters), GTOs (Gate Turn-Off thyristors), and the like. The routing wires 23, 33, 43, 83 are configured by using a metal such as gold, silver, copper, and nickel, or a conductive paste such as carbon. Further, each switching element constituting the switches 24, 34, 44, 84 is connected to the control unit 60 via a control signal line.

(6-2) Control unit The control unit 60 includes an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU as a core member, and hardware or software (program) or hardware or software (program) or as a functional unit for performing various processing on the input data. It is composed of both. As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 60 includes a switching control unit 61, a capacitance detection unit 62, a first resistance detection unit 63, a second resistance detection unit 64, a temperature compensation unit 68, and an input determination unit 65. The input determination unit 65 includes a position determination unit 66 and a pressing force determination unit 67. Further, the control unit 60 is connected to the storage unit 70 so as to be capable of information communication. The storage unit 70 is composed of a memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). Relationship data 71 and reference data 72 are stored in the storage unit 70.

(6-2-1) Switching control unit The switching control unit 61 controls on / off of the switching elements constituting the switches 24 and 34. For example, when the switches 24 and 34 are composed of IGBTs, the switching control unit 61 controls ON / OFF of each IGBT by individually generating a gate drive signal for each IGBT. The same can be considered when other switching elements are used. The switching control unit 61 selectively connects the first electrode 22a to the capacitance detection unit 62 by, for example, turning on the IGBT constituting the switch 24a corresponding to the first electrode 22a. Further, the switching control unit 61 selectively connects the first electrode 22b to the capacitance detection unit 62 by, for example, turning on the IGBT constituting the switch 24b corresponding to the first electrode 22b. The same can be considered for other first electrodes 22c to 22h (switches 24c to 24h). Further, the second electrodes 32a to 32h (switches 34a to 34h) can be considered in the same manner.

In the present embodiment, the switching control unit 61 controls each of the switches 24a to 24h so that any one of the switches 24a to 24h is sequentially turned on. Then, it is repeatedly executed sequentially. As a result, the first electrodes 22a to 22h are sequentially and selectively connected to the capacitance detection unit 62. Further, the switching control unit 61 controls each of the switches 34a to 34h so that any one of the switches 34a to 34h is sequentially turned on. Then, it is repeatedly executed sequentially. As a result, the second electrodes 32a to 32h are sequentially and selectively connected to the capacitance detection unit 62.

The switching control unit 61 also controls on / off of the switching elements constituting the switches 44 and 84. For example, when the switches 44 and 84 are composed of IGBTs, the switching control unit 61 controls ON / OFF of each IGBT by individually generating a gate drive signal for each IGBT. In the present embodiment, the switching control unit 61 controls each of the switches 44a to 44h so that any two of the switches 44a to 44h are turned on. The switching control unit 61 turns on, for example, the IGBTs constituting the switch 44a corresponding to the third electrode 42a and the switch 44h corresponding to the third electrode 42g, so that the plurality of third electrodes connected to one as a whole are turned on. The 42s are collectively connected to the resistance detection unit 63. Further, the switching control unit 61 selectively connects the third electrode 42a to the resistance detection unit 63 by, for example, turning on the switches 44a corresponding to both ends of the third electrode 42a and the IGBTs constituting the switches 44b. .. Further, the switching control unit 61 selectively connects the third electrode 42b to the resistance detection unit 63 by, for example, turning on the switches 44b corresponding to both ends of the third electrode 42b and the IGBTs constituting the switches 44c. .. The same can be considered for other third electrodes 42c to 42g (switches 44c to 44h). Further, the same can be considered for the fourth electrodes 82a to 82g (switches 84a to 84h).

(6--2-2) Capacitance detection unit In the present embodiment, the capacitance detection unit 62 detects the capacitance (self-capacitance) of each of the plurality of first electrodes 22 and the plurality of second electrodes 32. Therefore, the capacitance detection unit 62 includes a known capacitance detection circuit. The capacitance detection unit 62 sequentially detects the capacitance of each of the first electrodes 22a to 22h selectively connected by the switching control unit 61. Further, the capacitance detection unit 62 sequentially detects the capacitance of each of the second electrodes 32a to 32h selectively connected by the switching control unit 61. The scanning of each first electrode 22 and the scanning of each second electrode 32 may be performed synchronously or alternately.
A mutual detection method may be adopted. In this case, the capacitance detection unit 62 detects the capacitance (mutual capacitance) between each of the first electrodes 22 and each of the second electrodes 32. If the mutual method is adopted, multi-touch support will be possible. Information on the value detected by the capacitance detection unit 62 is transmitted to the input determination unit 65 (position determination unit 66).

(6-2-3) 1st / 2nd resistance detection unit The 1st resistance detection unit 63 detects the electrical resistance of the plurality of third electrodes 42. Further, the second resistance detection unit 64 detects the electrical resistance of the plurality of fourth electrodes 82. Therefore, the first resistance detection unit 63 and the second resistance detection unit 64 are configured to include a resistance detection circuit. This resistance detection circuit is composed of a known bridge circuit (Wheatstone bridge circuit). The first resistance detection unit 63 detects the electric resistance (resistance) based on the voltage between both ends of the whole or individual third electrodes 42 selectively connected by the switching control unit 61. Further, the second resistance detection unit 64 detects the electric resistance (resistance) based on the voltage between both ends of the entire or individual fourth electrode 82 selectively connected by the switching control unit 61. The first resistance detection unit 63 detects the resistance of the third electrode 42 provided between the two switches 44 that are turned on. When a plurality of third electrodes 42 are present between the two switches 44 to be turned on, the first resistance detection unit 63 detects the total resistance of the third electrodes 42. Further, the second resistance detection unit 64 detects the resistance of the fourth electrode 82 provided between the two switches 84 that are turned on. When a plurality of fourth electrodes 82 are present between the two switches 84 to be turned on, the second resistance detection unit 64 detects their total resistance. Information on the values detected by the first resistance detection unit 63 and the second resistance detection unit 64 is transmitted to the temperature compensation unit 68.

(6-2-4) Temperature Compensation Unit The temperature compensation unit 68 corrects the detection result by the first resistance detection unit 63 based on the detection result by the second resistance detection unit 64. The information of the correction value by the temperature compensation unit 68 is transmitted to the input determination unit 65 (pressing pressure determination unit 67).

The operation of the temperature compensation unit 68 will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a graph for explaining temperature compensation control. In detail, FIG. 9A is a graph of the pressing force F with respect to the passage of time. FIG. 9B is a graph with respect to the passage of time of the temperature change ΔT due to the heat of the finger when the finger comes into contact with the operation surface. FIG. 9C is a graph showing the change in _{the resistance change rate ΔR 1} / R ₁ of the third electrode 42 output from the first resistance detection unit 63 with time. FIG. 9D is a graph showing the change in _{the resistance change rate ΔR 2} / R ₂ of the fourth electrode 82 output from the second resistance detection unit 64 with time. FIG. 9E is a graph showing _{the change in resistance ΔR 1} / R _{1 − ΔR 2} / R ₂ output from the temperature compensating unit 68 with respect to time.

_{As shown in FIG. 9 (c), the resistance change rate ΔR 1} / R ₁ of the third electrode 42 measured by the first resistance detection unit 63 increases sharply, although it increases with the passage of time as a whole. It has an upward convex change. However, as shown in FIG. 9A, the actual pressing force F is an upward convex change that rapidly increases from zero and then rapidly decreases to zero. As shown in FIG. 9B, the temperature change ΔT caused by the transfer of the heat of the finger when the finger comes into contact with the operation surface increases in proportion to the passage of time during pressing. Therefore, not only the amount of change in resistance according to the change in attitude of the third electrode 42 but also the amount of change in resistance in response to the change in temperature are added to obtain the change in resistance of the third electrode 42 ΔR ₁ [Ω]. It has become.

_{On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9D, the resistance change rate ΔR 2} / R ₂ of the fourth electrode 82 measured by the second resistance detection unit 64 is particularly gradual while increasing with the passage of time as a whole. It has an upward convex change that rises to. In this case as well, as in the case of the third electrode 42, not only the amount of change in resistance according to the change in attitude of the fourth electrode 82 but also the amount of change in resistance in response to the change in temperature are added to the amount of change in resistance of the fourth electrode 82. The change in resistance of is ΔR ₂ [Ω].
The rate of change in resistance due to the temperature change of the fourth electrode 82 is the same as the rate of change in resistance due to the change in temperature of the third electrode 42, and the rate of change in resistance due to the change in attitude of the fourth electrode 82 is during the change in attitude at room temperature. Is 90% or less of the resistance change rate due to the posture change of the third electrode 42.

Therefore, the temperature compensating unit 68 sets the resistance change rate ΔR ₁ / R _{1 of the third electrode 42 shown in FIG. 9 (c) to the resistance change rate ΔR 2} / R _{2 of} the fourth electrode 82 shown in FIG. 9 (d). Correct based on. More specifically, the temperature compensation unit 68 subtracts _{the resistance change rate ΔR 2} / R ₂ of the fourth electrode 82 from the _{resistance change rate ΔR 1} / R _{1 of the third electrode 42 before correction.} As a result, as shown in FIG. 9 (e), an output signal showing an upward convex change that rapidly increases from zero and then rapidly decreases to zero is obtained.

More preferably, the rate of change in resistance due to the change in posture of the fourth electrode 82 is 50% or less of the rate of change in resistance due to the change in posture of the third electrode 42 during the change in posture at room temperature. More preferably, it is 10% or less.

(6-2-5) Positioning unit
The position determining unit 66 included in the input determining unit 65 determines the pressing position in the XY coordinate system on the operation surface 10a based on the detection result by the capacitance detecting unit 62. In the present embodiment, the position-determining unit 66 is the largest among the plurality of first electrodes 22 (plural positions) during a touch operation with respect to the operation surface 10a, based on the capacitance in a state where the user's fingers and the like are sufficiently separated. The X coordinate of the touch position is determined by specifying the first electrode 22 that gives a change in capacitance, which is the maximum when is touch-operated.
Further, the position-determining unit 66 is static electricity that becomes the maximum (or maximum) among the plurality of second electrodes 32 during a touch operation with respect to the operation surface 10a, based on the capacitance in a state where the user's fingers and the like are sufficiently separated. The Y coordinate of the touch position is determined by specifying the second electrode 32 that gives a change in capacitance. Further, in the case of the mutual method, the position determining unit 66 determines the X coordinate and the Y coordinate of the touch position based on the amount of change in the mutual capacitance between the first electrode 22 and the second electrode 32. .. It is also preferable that the position determining unit 66 is configured to perform an interpolation calculation using the capacitance actually detected by the capacitance detecting unit 62 and specify the touch position in more detail based on the calculation result. Is.

(6-2-6) Pressing pressure determining unit The pressing pressure determining unit 67 included in the input determining unit 65 has an operation surface based on a value corrected by the temperature compensating unit 68 of the detection result by the first resistance detecting unit 63. The pressing force with respect to 10a is determined. Here, FIG. 10 schematically shows how the user's finger gradually approaches the operation surface 10a and then gradually pushes the operation surface 10a with a large force. FIG. 11 shows the pressing position (position represented by “X”) in the middle state of FIG. 10 and after correction by the temperature compensating unit 68 of each of the third electrodes 42a to 42g detected by the first resistance detecting unit 63. The relationship with the resistance change of is schematically shown. Further, FIG. 12 schematically shows the relationship between the pressing position and the resistance change after correction by the temperature compensating unit 68 of each of the third electrodes 42a to 42g detected by the first resistance detecting unit 63 in the lower state of FIG. Is shown. For convenience of explanation, an example is shown here in which the resistances of the third electrodes 42a to 42g are individually detected even for a single touch.

As can be easily understood from these figures, the resistance change is large in the third electrode 42, which is closer to the pressing position in the Y-axis direction and the degree of deformation (posture change) is large, and the third electrode 42, which is farther from the pressing position, has a large degree of deformation (posture change). The resistance change is small. Then, the resistance change of the third electrode 42, which is separated from the pressing position by a predetermined distance or more along the Y-axis direction, converges to substantially zero. The resistance value change is a state in which the resistance (reference resistance) of each third electrode 42 in a state where the operation surface 10a is not pressed at all (non-pressing state) and a state in which a part of the operation surface 10a is pressed. It is a difference from the resistance of each third electrode 42 actually measured in (pressed state). That is, the resistance change represents the absolute amount change of the resistance of the third electrode 42 when the pressing force is applied, and the value may be positive or negative. Further, as can be easily understood from the comparison between FIGS. 11 and 12, as the force for pushing the operation surface 10a increases and the degree of deformation (posture change) of the touch panel 5 increases, the resistance at each third electrode 42 increases. The change will be large. Therefore, by obtaining the relationship between the pressing force on the operating surface 10a and the change in resistance in advance, the pressing force on the operating surface 10a can be quantitatively evaluated from the actual amount of change in resistance.

(6--2-7) Storage unit In the present embodiment, the relationship data 71 that defines the correlation between the pressing force on the operation surface 10a and the amount of change in resistance from the non-pressed state is stored in advance in the storage unit 70. It is equipped. The relationship data 71 may be in the form of a relationship map as shown in FIG. 13, for example, or may be in the form of a predetermined relationship expression. Further, the storage unit 70 is provided with storage of reference data 72 obtained by previously measuring the resistance (reference resistance) of each third electrode 42 in the non-pressed state. The pressing force determining unit 67 determines the pressing force according to the amount of change in the actual resistance based on the relational data 71 and the actually detected resistance change (difference between the actual resistance value and the reference resistance). The "change amount of actual resistance" is the amount of change at each position when a plurality of positions are pressed. Thereby, the pressing force at each pressing position can be individually determined. That is, multi-force support is possible.

Further, the "change amount of the actual resistance" may be selected from the actually detected values (actual detection values), or may be an estimated value calculated based on the actual detection values. For example, the pressing force determining unit 67 is the maximum among the plurality of third electrodes 42 during the pressing operation on the operation surface 10a based on the electric resistance detected in the non-pressing state (when a plurality of positions are pressed). The pressing force may be determined according to the amount of resistance change of the third electrode 42 that gives a resistance change that becomes (maximum). With this configuration, the pressing force on the operating surface 10a can be determined by a relatively simple arithmetic process. Alternatively, the pressing force determining unit 67 obtains an estimated resistance at each position in the Y-axis direction from the relationship between the positions of the plurality of third electrodes 42 in the Y-axis direction and the resistance actually detected during the pressing operation, and the estimated resistance is obtained. The pressing force may be determined according to the peak value of. In this way, the pressing force on the operating surface 10a can be determined in more detail.

(7). Others In the present embodiment, the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 are arranged on the side of the first electrode forming member 20 and the second electrode forming member 30 opposite to the panel member 10. It is formed on the second electrode forming member 30, which is the other member. That is, the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 are arranged between the second electrodes 32, which are the electrodes of the first electrode 22 and the second electrode 32 that are arranged on the side opposite to the panel member 10. Has been done. The second electrode 32 is a neutral axis of the touch panel main body composed of the panel member 10, the first electrode forming member 20, and the second electrode forming member 30 as compared with the first electrode 22 (a thick alternate long and short dash line in the lower part of FIG. 10). It is located farther from the display). Therefore, the degree of deformation (posture change) when the touch panel main body is integrally elastically deformed by applying a pressing force to the operation surface 10a is larger in the second electrode 32 than in the first electrode 22. Become. Therefore, by arranging the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 not between the first electrodes 22 but between the second electrodes 32, the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 are deformed (posture change). The degree of can be made relatively large. As a result, the detection sensitivity can be increased, and the detection accuracy of the pressing force can be improved.

Further, such an arrangement configuration of the third electrode 42 is also advantageous when a mutual detection method is adopted in the detection of the touch position by the position determining unit 66. It is known that the electric lines of force from the second electrode 32 as the transmitting side electrode to the first electrode 22 as the receiving side electrode pass between the first electrodes 22 as shown in FIG. .. On the other hand, such electric lines of force do not pass between the second electrodes 32. Therefore, by arranging the third electrode 42 between the second electrodes 32 and not between the first electrodes 22, it is possible to avoid adversely affecting the detection of the touch position by the position determining unit 66.

Further, as described above, in the present embodiment, the panel member 10 on which the electrodes 22, 32, 42, and 82 are arranged is supported via the soft and thick frame-shaped support member 50. Therefore, the support form of the panel member 10 by the support member 50 is a simple support type, and the deformation (posture change) of the third electrode 42 can be substantially only elongation deformation. Thereby, the detection accuracy of the pressing force can be further improved.

In this way, the input determination unit 65 determines the pressing position on the operation surface 10a in the XY coordinate system based on the detection result by the capacitance detection unit 62, and also determines the first resistance detection unit 63 and the second resistance detection unit 63. The pressing force on the operation surface 10a is determined based on the detection result according to 64. As a result, the touch panel 5 having a pressure-sensitive function in addition to the normal position detection function is realized. At this time, in the present embodiment, a thin touch panel 5 is realized by adopting OGS (One Glass Solution) technology for forming four electrodes 22, 32, 42, 82 on a panel member 10 made of a thin glass plate. There is.

Further, in the present embodiment, the third electrode 42 for realizing the pressure-sensitive function and the fourth electrode 82 for temperature compensation of the detection result of the third electrode 42 are the second electrodes for realizing the position detection function. 32 are placed adjacent to each other between any of them. That is, the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 are arranged in the same plane as the second electrode 32 by effectively utilizing the region between the second electrodes 32 adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, even when the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 are added to impart the pressure sensitive function to the capacitive touch panel 5 including the first electrode 22 and the second electrode 32, the entire device as a whole The thickness of is not increased. In particular, the thickness of the entire device can be significantly reduced as compared with the case where the pressure-sensitive sensors are separately provided so as to be stacked. That is, it is possible to realize the touch panel 5 which has a pressure-sensitive function and is thinner than the conventional one.

Further, in the present embodiment, the plurality of third electrodes 42 are connected to each other and connected to one as a whole, and are formed in a zigzag shape in a plan view. Then, by on / off control of each switch 44a to 44g, a mode for detecting the total resistance of the plurality of third electrodes 42 (total detection mode) and a mode for detecting the individual resistance of each third electrode 42 (individual detection mode). And are switched (see FIG. 7). In the overall detection mode, the magnitude of the pressing force on the operation surface 10a can be easily determined in a constant state without dynamically controlling the on / off of each switch 44a to 44g. .. The overall detection mode is effective in the case of a single touch in which only one point contacts the operation surface 10a. On the other hand, for example, in the case of multi-touch in which multiple points come into contact with the operation surface 10a, the mode is switched to the individual detection mode, and each third electrode 42 is configured to be scanned. In this way, the pressing force at each touch position can be determined individually. That is, multi-force support is possible. Then, by switching the detection mode based on whether it is single-touch or multi-touch, the scanning time of the third electrode 42 can be suppressed to the minimum necessary, and the power consumption can be reduced.

Similar to the previous paragraph, the plurality of fourth electrodes 82 are connected to each other and connected to one as a whole, and are formed in a zigzag shape in a plan view. Then, by controlling the on / off of each switch 84a to 84g, a mode for detecting the total resistance of the plurality of fourth electrodes 82 (total detection mode) and a mode for detecting the individual resistance of each of the fourth electrodes 82 (individual detection mode). And are switched (see FIG. 7).

The flow of the pressing position and the pressing pressure detection process in this case is shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, the touch positions and the number of touch positions on the operation surface 10a are determined based on the capacitances of the electrodes 22 and 32 (step # 01). It is determined whether or not the touch operation on the operation surface 10a is a single touch (step # 02). In the case of single touch (step # 02: Yes), the switches 44a and 44h and the switches 84a and 84h are turned on, and the resistance between both ends of one third electrode 42 and one as a whole are turned on. The resistance between both ends of the fourth electrode 82 is detected (step # 03). The overall resistance of the third electrode 42 is corrected for temperature compensation by the overall resistance of the fourth electrode 82 (step # 05). The pressing force on the operating surface 10a is determined based on the corrected total resistance of the third electrode 42 (step # 06). On the other hand, in the case of multi-touch (step # 02: No), two specific switches 44a to 44h are sequentially turned on, and the resistance between both ends of each third electrode 42 is sequentially detected (). Step # 04). The individual resistance of each third electrode 42 is corrected for temperature compensation by the individual resistance of each fourth electrode 82 (step # 05). The pressing force on the operating surface 10a is individually determined based on the corrected individual resistance of each third electrode 42 (step # 06). The position information and pressing pressure information derived in this way are output to the electronic device 1 (step # 07). In the electronic device 1, various processes according to the application are executed based on the position information and the pressing force information.

2. 2nd Embodiment In the 1st embodiment, the resistance change rate of the 3rd electrode 42 and the resistance of the 4th electrode 82 at the time of pressing are different due to the difference between the linear pattern and the zigzag pattern between the 3rd electrode 42 and the 4th electrode 82. An example of a configuration that causes a difference from the rate of change has been described.
However, in the embodiment of the present invention, the resistance change rate due to the temperature change of the fourth electrode 82 is the same as the resistance change rate due to the temperature change of the third electrode, and the resistance change rate due to the attitude change of the fourth electrode 82 is the same. The rate of change in resistance due to the change in attitude of the third electrode 42 may be 90% or less during the change in attitude at room temperature.
For example, in the present embodiment, one electrode material of the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 has the same resistance change rate due to temperature change as the other electrode material, but has a different resistance change rate due to posture change. When using, the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 can have the same shape and the same size pattern (not shown).

3. 3. Third Embodiment In the present embodiment, of the first electrode 22 and the second electrode 32, the electrodes formed on the same plane as the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode (in the examples of FIGS. 18 and 19, the second electrode). The pattern of 32) is a mesh pattern having a rectangular grid 323 composed of thin lines in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. In this embodiment, the grid is square or rectangular.
Further, the rectangular region 823 with the adjacent set of overlapping portions 821 of the pattern of the fourth electrode 82 as opposite sides and the grid pattern 323 of the mesh pattern have the same shape or an approximate shape, and have the same or an approximate size. ..
Further, the electrodes having a mesh pattern (second electrode 32 in the examples of FIGS. 18 and 19), the third electrode 42, and the fourth electrode 82 are in close proximity to each other, and the grid pattern 323 and the rectangular region are formed. The 823s are regularly arranged as a whole.
Other points are the same as those in the first embodiment.

According to this configuration, the rectangular region 823 with the adjacent set of overlapping portions 821 of the pattern of the fourth electrode 82 as opposite sides is visually assimilated with the grid pattern 323 of the mesh pattern.
The arrangement direction of the grid 323 and the rectangular region 823 can be, for example, a series arrangement in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction as shown in FIG. Further, the arrangement directions of the grid 323 and the rectangular region 823 can be staggered as shown in FIG. Moreover, it is not limited to these as long as it is arranged regularly as a whole.

In FIGS. 18 and 19, the resistance lines forming the zigzag pattern of the fourth electrode 82 are drawn with a constant width, but this is a simplified representation for the sake of easy viewing. Actually, it may be either (a) or (b) of FIG.
In the sense that the rectangular region 823 is visually assimilated with the grid pattern 323 of the mesh pattern, the same width is more preferable as shown in FIG. 5 (a). However, even if the thickness of the overlapping portion 821 of the fourth electrode 82 and the folded portion 822 are different as shown in FIG. 5B, it is not so noticeable because the plurality of folded portions 822 are not continuous.

4. Fourth Embodiment In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, the pattern of the third electrode 42 is formed in parallel with each other by folding back the resistance lines constituting the third electrode 42 in a zigzag shape in a plan view. It has a plurality of overlapping portions 421, and the arrangement direction of the plurality of overlapping portions 421 coincides with the extending direction of the third electrode 42.
Further, the pattern of the fourth electrode 82 has a plurality of overlapping portions 821 in which the resistance wires constituting the fourth electrode 82 are folded back in a zigzag shape in a plan view and formed in parallel with each other, and the plurality of overlapping portions 821. The alignment direction of the fourth electrode 82 coincides with the extending direction of the fourth electrode 82.
The pattern of the third electrode 42 and the pattern of the fourth electrode 82 have a period in which the folds are synchronized.
Of the first electrode 22 and the second electrode 32, the patterns of the electrodes (second electrode 32 in the example of FIG. 20) formed on the same surface as the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 are in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis. It is a mesh pattern having a rectangular grid consisting of thin lines in the direction. In this embodiment, the grid is square or rectangular.
The rectangular regions 423,823 with the adjacent set of overlapping portions 421,821 of the patterns of the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 as opposite sides and the lattice 323 of the front mesh pattern have the same or similar shape and have the same or similar shape. , Same or similar size.
The electrodes having the mesh pattern (in the example of FIG. 20, the second electrode 32, the third electrode 42, and the fourth electrode 82 are in close proximity to each other, and the grid 323 and the rectangular regions 423,823 are formed. As a whole, they are regularly arranged in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

The materials used for the third electrode and the fourth electrode 82 of this embodiment are different. By aligning the patterns of the third electrode and the fourth electrode 82 in a zigzag shape and using different materials, the resistance change rate of the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 due to the temperature change is the same, and the fourth electrode 82 The rate of change in resistance due to the change in posture of the third electrode 42 is 90% or less of the rate of change in resistance due to the change in posture of the third electrode 42 during the change in posture at room temperature.
Further, in the third electrode and the fourth electrode 82 of the present embodiment, the resistance wires forming the zigzag pattern have a constant width.
Other points are the same as those in the first embodiment.

According to this configuration, the rectangular regions 423,823 with the adjacent set of overlapping portions 421,821 of the pattern of the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 as opposite sides are visually aligned with the grid pattern 323 of the mesh pattern. Assimilate into.
The arrangement directions of the grid 323 and the rectangular regions 423 and 823 are a series arrangement in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 20, the resistance lines forming the zigzag pattern of the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 are drawn with a constant width, but this is simplified to make the figure easier to see. Therefore, it is also shared in the following description of the fifth to seventh embodiments.

5. Fifth Embodiment In the present embodiment, the patterns of the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 are both zigzag patterns, and the first electrode 22 or the second electrode formed on the same surface as the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82. In the same pattern configuration (see FIG. 20) as in the fourth embodiment in which the pattern of 32 is a mesh pattern, the widths of the resistance lines of the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 are further changed.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16A, the width of the resistance wire constituting the third electrode 42 is formed to be thick at the overlapping portion 421 and narrow at the folded-back portion 422 connecting the overlapping portions 421 to each other. There is. Further, the width of the resistance wire constituting the fourth electrode 82 is narrow at the overlapping portion 821 and thick at the folded-back portion 822 connecting the overlapping portions 821 to each other.
Further, unlike the fourth embodiment, in the present embodiment, the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 are made of the same electrode material. This point is the same as that of the first embodiment.
Other points are the same as those in the fourth embodiment.

According to this configuration, by making the width of the folded-back portion 422 of the resistance wire constituting the third electrode 42 narrower than that of the overlapping portion 421, the third electrode 42 detected at the time of pressing even if the same material is used. The resistance change rate is larger than that in the case where the overlapping portion 421 and the folded portion 422 have the same width.

_{For example, the electrical resistance (R 1} ′) after the resistance change of the three electrodes 42, which has a zigzag pattern in which the width of the folded portion 422 is narrower than that of the overlapping portion 421, is the resistance ratio between the overlapping portion 421 before pressing and the folded portion 422. When is 1: 2, the original electrical resistance (R ₁ ), strain (ε), and gauge ratio (Ks) are related to the following equations.
_{R 1 '= R 1/3} + 2R 1/3 (1 + Ks × ε) ( Formula 10)
_R 1/3 the electrical resistance of the overlapped portion 421 after pressing the previous section, the later section _{2R 1/3 (1 + Ks} × ε) is the resistance of the folded portion 422 after pressing. That is, the amount of change in electrical resistance (ΔR ₁ ) and the rate of change in resistance (ΔR ₁ / R ₁ ) are as shown in the following equations, respectively.
_{ΔR 1 = 2R 1/3 ×} Ks × ε ( equation 11)
ΔR ₁ / R ₁ = 2/3 × Ks × ε (Equation 12)
On the other hand, by making the width of the folded portion 822 of the resistance wire constituting the fourth electrode 82 wider than that of the overlapping portion 821, the resistance change rate of the fourth electrode 82 detected at the time of pressing is increased between the overlapping portion 821 and the folded portion. It is smaller than the case where 822 has the same width.
_{For example, the electrical resistance (R 2} ′) after the resistance change of the fourth electrode 82 having a zigzag pattern in which the width of the folded portion 422 is thicker than that of the overlapping portion 421 is such that the resistance ratio between the overlapping portion 821 and the folded portion 822 is 2: If it is 1, it becomes as in the above-mentioned (Equation 7) to (Equation 9).
Therefore, as is clear from (Equation 12) and (Equation 9), the resistance change rate of the fourth electrode 82 corresponds to 1/2 of the resistance halving rate of the third electrode 42. That is, it is possible to make a difference between the resistance change rate of the third electrode 42 and the resistance change rate of the fourth electrode 82 at the time of pressing only by the difference in the pattern.

6. 6th Embodiment In the present embodiment, the patterns of the 3rd electrode 42 and the 4th electrode 82 are both zigzag patterns, and the 1st electrode 22 or the 2nd electrode is formed on the same surface as the 3rd electrode 42 and the 4th electrode 82. In the same pattern configuration (see FIG. 20) as in the fourth embodiment in which the pattern of the electrode 32 is a mesh pattern, the widths of the resistance lines of the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 are further changed from those in the fifth embodiment. I put on.
Specifically, the line width of the resistance wire forming the third electrode 42 is formed to be thick at the overlapping portion 421 and thin at the folded-back portion 422 connecting the overlapping portions 421 to each other, and the resistance wire forming the fourth electrode 82 is formed. The line width is formed to be the same width.
Further, also in the present embodiment, as in the fifth embodiment, the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 are made of the same electrode material.
Other points are the same as those in the fourth embodiment.

According to this configuration, as described in the fifth embodiment, the width of the folded-back portion 422 of the resistance wire constituting the third electrode 42 is made narrower than that of the overlapping portion 421, so that the third electrode is detected at the time of pressing. The resistance change rate of the electrode 42 is larger than that in the case where the overlapping portion 421 and the folded portion 422 have the same width. Here, this configuration having the same width corresponds to the fourth electrode 82 in the present embodiment.
Therefore, even if the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 are made of the same material, there is a difference between the resistance change rate of the third electrode 42 and the resistance change rate of the fourth electrode 82 at the time of pressing only by the difference in the pattern. Can be made to.

7. 7th Embodiment In the present embodiment, the patterns of the 3rd electrode 42 and the 4th electrode 82 are both zigzag patterns, and the 1st electrode 22 or the 2nd electrode is formed on the same surface as the 3rd electrode 42 and the 4th electrode 82. In the same pattern configuration (see FIG. 20) as in the fourth embodiment in which the pattern of the electrode 32 is a mesh pattern, the widths of the resistance lines of the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 are different from those of the fifth and sixth embodiments. I made another change.
Specifically, the line widths of the resistance wires forming the third electrode 42 are formed to be the same width, and the line widths of the resistance wires forming the fourth electrode 82 are narrow in the overlapping portion 821, and the overlapping portions 821 are separated from each other. The folded-back portion 822 to be connected is thickly formed.
Further, also in the present embodiment, as in the fifth and sixth embodiments, the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 are made of the same electrode material.
Other points are the same as those in the fourth embodiment.

According to this configuration, as described in the first embodiment, the width of the folded-back portion 822 of the resistance wire constituting the fourth electrode 82 is made wider than that of the overlapping portion 821, so that the fourth electrode detected at the time of pressing is detected. The resistance change rate of the electrode 82 is larger than that in the case where the overlapping portion 821 and the folded portion 822 have the same width. Here, this configuration having the same width corresponds to the third electrode 42 in the present embodiment.
Therefore, even if the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 are made of the same material, there is a difference between the resistance change rate of the third electrode 42 and the resistance change rate of the fourth electrode 82 at the time of pressing only by the difference in the pattern. Can be made to.

8. Eighth Embodiment In each of the above-described embodiments, a configuration in which the folded-back portions 422 and 822 of the resistance wires constituting the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 are linearly folded back will be described as an example. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 16B, the folded-back portions 422 and 822 of the resistance wires constituting the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 may be curvedly folded back.
In the example of the third electrode 42 shown in FIG. 16B, the folded portion 422 of the resistance wire constituting the third electrode 42 has a semi-elliptical shape at the outer edge and a semi-circular shape at the inner edge. .. Further, in the example of the fourth electrode 82 shown in FIG. 16B, the shape of the outer edge of the folded portion 822 of the resistance wire constituting the fourth electrode 82 is a semicircular shape, and the shape of the inner edge is a semicircular shape. ing.

According to this configuration, stress concentration when an extension force is applied to the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 can be relaxed. That is, the stress concentration causes cracks in the folded-back portion 422,822, but since the folded-back portion 422,822 of the resistance wire is curvedly folded back, the stress generated in the folded-back portion 422,822 is dispersed. It is weakened and the occurrence of cracks can be suppressed.

When the folded-back portions 422 and 822 of the resistance wire are linearly folded back, the extending direction (X-axis direction) of the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 is compared with the curvedly folded-back structure. ) Is smaller, so that the second electrode 32, the third electrode 42, and the fourth electrode 82 can be arranged side by side. As a result, the detection accuracy of the pressing position and the pressing pressure can be improved.

9. Modified Examples of the First to Eighth Embodiments Further, modified examples of the first to eighth embodiments will be described. The configurations disclosed in the following modifications can be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in the other modifications as long as there is no contradiction.

(1) In each of the above embodiments, a configuration in which the shape of the panel member 10 is rectangular and the short side of the panel member 10 is parallel to the extending direction of the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 will be described as an example. did. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this.
For example, the shape of the panel member 10 is such that the corners are rounded, a part of the side is rounded, one of the opposing sides is inclined with respect to the other, and the outer edge is partially cut out. Any shape that can be said to be approximately rectangular, such as a shape having protrusions or protrusions, may be used. Further, the shape of the panel member 10 may be square.

(2) In each of the above embodiments, the third electrodes 42 at both ends in the Y-axis direction and the connecting wirings 45 are all connected to the control unit 60 via the switch 44, and the fourth electrodes at both ends in the Y-axis direction. The configuration in which the 82 and each connection wiring 85 are all connected to the control unit 60 via the switch 84 has been described as an example. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this. Only a part of these may be connected to the control unit 60. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7, only the third electrodes 42 at both ends in the Y-axis direction and the connection wirings 45 arranged on one side in the X-axis direction (for example, the lower side in FIG. 7) are the switches 44a, respectively. Each connection is connected to the control unit 60 via 44c, 44e, 44g, 44h, or is arranged on one side (for example, the lower side of FIG. 7) of the fourth electrodes 82 at both ends in the Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction. Only the wiring 85 may be connected to the control unit 60 via switches 84a, 84c, 84e, 84g, 84h, respectively. The connection wirings 45 and 85 from which the connection to the control unit 60 is omitted may be appropriately set. Note that all the connection wirings 45 and 85 are not connected to the control unit 60, and only the third electrodes 42 at both ends and the fourth electrodes 82 at both ends in the Y-axis direction are always connected to the control unit 60. You may. In such a configuration, multi-force is not supported, but if the specifications require that the pressure-sensitive function be exhibited only at the time of single touch, the resistance detection circuit can be greatly simplified and the cost can be reduced. Can be planned.

(3) In each of the above embodiments, the electrodes arranged adjacent to each other of the third electrodes 42 are alternately connected at one side end portion and the other side end portion in the extending direction thereof. It is formed in a zigzag shape as a whole in a plan view, and each of the fourth electrodes 82 has electrodes arranged adjacent to each other connected alternately at one side end portion and the other side end portion in the extending direction thereof. , The configuration which is formed in a zigzag shape in a plan view as a whole has been described as an example. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, each of the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82, like the second electrode 32, are separated from each other on the second substrate 31 in an island shape without being connected to each other. It may be arranged. In such a configuration, in order to determine the magnitude of the pressing force with respect to the operation surface 10a, it is necessary to constantly scan the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82. In this case, multi-force support is always possible.

(4) In each of the above embodiments, the third electrode 42 is arranged parallel to each other on the second substrate 31 so as to be arranged in the Y-axis direction between the second electrodes 32 adjacent to each other. Explained as an example. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this. The third electrode 42 may be arranged parallel to each other on the first substrate 21 so as to be arranged in the X-axis direction between the first electrodes 22 adjacent to each other. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to realize the touch panel 5 which has a pressure-sensitive function and is thinner than the conventional one, as in the above embodiment. When the third electrode 42 is arranged on the first substrate 21, the fourth electrode 82 is also arranged on the first substrate 21.

(5) In each of the above embodiments, the configuration in which the first electrode 22 and the second electrode 32 are formed on the front surface of the first substrate 21 and the second substrate 31, respectively, has been described as an example. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this. For example, the first electrode 22 and the second electrode 32 may be formed on the back surface of the first substrate 21 and the second substrate 31, respectively. Further, for example, the first electrode 22 and the second electrode 32 may be formed on the opposite surfaces of the first substrate 21 and the second substrate 31, respectively. However, even in this case, an insulating layer is provided between the electrodes 22 and 23 so that the first electrode 22 and the second electrode 32 are not short-circuited. The insulating layer may be, for example, an air layer (air gap) including a dot-shaped spacer, or may also serve as an adhesive layer. The forming positions of the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 are set according to the forming positions of the first electrode 22 and the second electrode 32 on the first substrate 21 and the second substrate 31.

(6) In each of the above embodiments, a configuration in which the panel member 10, the first electrode forming member 20, and the second electrode forming member 30 are bonded to each other has been described as an example. That is, the configuration in which the panel member 10, the first substrate 21 on which the first electrode 22 is formed, and the second substrate 31 on which the second electrode 32 is formed is bonded to each other has been described as an example. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this. For example, at least the first substrate 21 is omitted, and the panel member 10, the first electrode 22, and the second electrode 32 are simply bonded together (the second substrate 31 may exist on the back side thereof). Is also good. However, even in that case, an insulating layer is provided between the electrodes 22 and 23 so that the first electrode 22 and the second electrode 32 are not short-circuited. This insulating layer may also serve as an adhesive layer.

(7) In each of the above embodiments, the position-determining unit 66 has been described with a configuration in which the pressing position is determined by using the detection result by the capacitance detection unit 62 as it is. Similarly, the description has been made in consideration of a configuration in which the pressing force determining unit 67 determines the pressing force by using it as it is after correcting the detection result by the first resistance detecting unit 63 from the temperature compensating unit 68. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this. For example, the position-determining unit 66 may determine the pressing position using only the values detected by the capacitance detection unit 62 that exceed a predetermined threshold value. Further, the pressing force determination unit 67 may determine the pressing force using only the correction value of the detection result by the resistance detecting unit 63 that exceeds a predetermined threshold value. By doing so, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of erroneous input due to the user's unintended contact with the operation surface 10a.

(8) In each of the above embodiments, a switch 24 is provided in each wiring wiring 23 extending from the plurality of first electrodes 22 to the control unit 60, and each wiring extending from the plurality of second electrodes 32 to the control unit 60. The configuration in which the switch 34 is provided in the wiring 33 (FIG. 6) has been taken into consideration in the description. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, switches 24 and 34 may not be provided on the routing wires 23 and 33 to simplify the circuit.

(9) The modified example shown below is an example in which the third electrode and the fourth electrode are arranged closest to each other. In this modification, space saving is realized. Further, since a temperature gradient is unlikely to occur between the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82, temperature compensation can be performed accurately.

In the modified example shown in FIG. 22, the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 extend in the extending direction. The third electrode 42 is arranged along the shape of the fourth electrode 82. Specifically, the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 have the zigzag shape already described, and the overlapping portion 421 and the folded portion 422 of the third electrode 42 are the overlapping portion 821 and the folded portion of the fourth electrode 82, respectively. It extends parallel to 822 and is in close proximity. The folded portion 822 of the fourth electrode 82 is wider than the overlapping portion 821.

In the modified example shown in FIG. 23, unlike the modified example shown in FIG. 22, the overlapping portion 421 of the third electrode 42 is wider than the folded portion 422.

In the modified example shown in FIG. 24, the pressure sensor 5b has two sets including the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82, and each set has a short side of a short side at a position corresponding to the outer peripheral area 10b. It is placed at both ends of the direction. In each set, the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 extend in the short side direction. In FIG. 24, the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 (unsigned in FIG. 24) of the pressure sensor 5b are shown in a straight line for simplification.
The third electrode 42 is arranged along the shape of the fourth electrode 82. Specifically, the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82 have a mountain-shaped (triangular) shape that is alternately repeated. The third electrode 42 has a first oblique portion 42a and a second oblique portion 42b arranged alternately, and the fourth electrode 82 has a third oblique portion 82a and a fourth oblique portion 82b arranged alternately. There is. The first oblique portion 42a and the third oblique portion 82a are parallel to each other and close to each other. The second oblique portion 42a and the fourth oblique portion 82a are parallel to each other and close to each other.
The width of the fourth oblique portion 82b of the fourth electrode 82 is larger than that of the third oblique portion 82a.
Since it has a triangular wave shape as described above, it is possible to measure the strain stress acting in a direction (arrow C) oblique to the extending direction of the third electrode 42 and the fourth electrode 82.

In the modified example shown in FIG. 25, unlike the modified example shown in FIG. 24, the first oblique portion 42a of the third electrode 42 (the portion of the fourth electrode 82 close to the third oblique portion 82a) is the second oblique portion 42b. The width is thicker than.

10. Ninth Embodiment The ninth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 26. FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device of the ninth embodiment. In the ninth embodiment, the panel member support structure of the electronic device is different from each of the above-described embodiments.
In the present embodiment, the support member 50A supports the panel member 10 from the back surface side. Unlike each of the above embodiments, the support member 50A supports the panel member 10 from the back surface side without the intervention of the first electrode forming member 20 and the second electrode forming member 30 on which the first electrode 22 is formed.
The support member 50A is formed in a frame shape. The support member 50A is formed in a rectangular frame shape in a plan view so as to correspond to the shape of the support portion 3b of the housing 3. The support member 50A is provided so as to support the rectangularly formed panel member 10 and the peripheral edges (near each side) of the electrode forming members 20 and 30.

11. Other Embodiments Other embodiments of the touch panel according to the present invention will be described. The configurations disclosed in each of the following embodiments can be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in other embodiments as long as there is no contradiction.

The pressure sensor may be formed on the front surface or the back surface of the first substrate 21 or the front surface or the back surface of the second substrate 31.
The third electrode and the fourth electrode may be formed in the same layer as the first electrode or the second electrode. In this case, the 3rd and 4th electrodes are made of the same material as the routing wire (usually copper or silver paste) connected to the 1st and 2nd electrodes, and are printed or etched at the same time as the routing wire. Can be formed.

The shapes of the panel member, the first substrate, and the second substrate are not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a square.
One or both of the first substrate and the second substrate may be omitted.
The panel member is not limited to a flat member and may have a curved surface.

In each of the above embodiments, an example in which the touch panel according to the present invention is applied to a multifunctional mobile phone as a kind of electronic device 1 has been described. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this. In addition to the multifunctional mobile phone, the electronic device 1 includes, for example, a conventional mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a portable music player, an in-vehicle navigation device, a PND (Portable Navigation Device), a digital camera, and a digital video camera. , Portable game machines, tablets and the like. The touch panel according to the present invention can be suitably applied to these electronic devices 1. Further, as described at the beginning, not only the electronic device 1, but also the center information display (CID: Center Information Display), the cluster (Cruster: Instrument Cruster), the rear seat entertainment (RSE: Rear Seat Entertainment), etc. used for the interior of the automobile. The touch panel according to the present invention can be suitably applied to the in-vehicle display of the above.

It should be understood that with respect to other configurations, the embodiments disclosed herein are exemplary in all respects and the scope of the invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will be able to easily understand that modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, another embodiment modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention is naturally included in the scope of the present invention.

The present invention can be used, for example, in a touch panel mounted on a multifunctional mobile phone.

1: Electronic device 3: Housing 4: Display device 5: Touch panel 10: Panel member 10a: Operation surface 20: First electrode forming member 21: First substrate 22: First electrode 30: Second electrode forming member 31: First Two substrates 32: Second electrode 323: Lattice 42: Third electrode 421: Overlapping portion 422: Folded portion 423: Rectangular region 45: Connection wiring 50: Support member 60: Control unit 62: Capacity detection unit 63: First One resistance detection unit 64: Second resistance detection unit 65: Input determination unit 66: Position determination unit 67: Pushing pressure determination unit 68: Temperature compensation unit 82: Fourth electrode 821: Overlapping portion 822: Folded portion 823: Rectangular region?

Claims (13)

A panel member that has an operation surface and is elastically deformable,
A plurality of panel members arranged in parallel with each other so as to be arranged on the opposite side of the operation surface in the X-axis direction at predetermined intervals, and their own capacitance or mutual capacitance changes according to the proximity / separation of the object to be detected. With the first electrode
They are arranged in parallel with each other so as to face the plurality of first electrodes and line up in the Y-axis direction intersecting the X-axis direction with a predetermined interval, and have their own capacitance according to the proximity / separation of the object to be detected. Or with multiple second electrodes whose mutual capacitance changes,
The first electrodes are arranged parallel to each other so as to be aligned in the X-axis direction, or the second electrodes are arranged parallel to each other so as to be arranged in the Y-axis direction between the second electrodes. A plurality of third electrodes whose electrical resistance changes in response to changes in attitude and temperature,
A plurality of fourth electrodes arranged so as to extend along each of the plurality of third electrodes and whose electrical resistance changes in response to changes in posture and temperature.
With
The rate of change in resistance due to the temperature change of the fourth electrode is the same as the rate of change in resistance due to the temperature change of the third electrode .
The rate of change in resistance due to the change in attitude of the fourth electrode is 90% or less of the rate of change in resistance due to the change in attitude of the third electrode during the change in attitude at room temperature.
The pattern of the third electrode is a linear pattern.
The pattern of the fourth electrode has a plurality of overlapping portions in which the resistance lines constituting the fourth electrode are folded back in a zigzag shape in a plan view and formed in parallel with each other, and the arrangement direction of the plurality of overlapping portions. the touch panel but a pattern that matches the extending direction of the fourth electrode. The touch panel according to claim 1 , wherein the line width of the resistance wire constituting the fourth electrode is thin at the overlapping portion and thick at the folded portion connecting the overlapping portions. Of the first electrode and the second electrode, the pattern of the electrodes formed on the same surface as the third electrode and the fourth electrode has a rectangular grid consisting of fine lines in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. It is a mesh pattern,
The rectangular region having the overlapping portion of the adjacent set of the pattern of the fourth electrode as the opposite side and the grid of the mesh pattern have the same shape or an approximate shape, and have the same or an approximate size.
The electrode having the mesh pattern, the third electrode, and the fourth electrode are in close proximity to each other.
The touch panel according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the grid and the rectangular region are regularly arranged as a whole. A panel member that has an operation surface and is elastically deformable,
A plurality of panel members arranged in parallel with each other so as to be arranged on the opposite side of the operation surface in the X-axis direction at predetermined intervals, and their own capacitance or mutual capacitance changes according to the proximity / separation of the object to be detected. With the first electrode
They are arranged in parallel with each other so as to face the plurality of first electrodes and line up in the Y-axis direction intersecting the X-axis direction with a predetermined interval, and have their own capacitance according to the proximity / separation of the object to be detected. Or with multiple second electrodes whose mutual capacitance changes,
The first electrodes are arranged parallel to each other so as to be aligned in the X-axis direction, or the second electrodes are arranged parallel to each other so as to be arranged in the Y-axis direction between the second electrodes. A plurality of third electrodes whose electrical resistance changes in response to changes in attitude and temperature,
A plurality of fourth electrodes arranged so as to extend along each of the plurality of third electrodes and whose electrical resistance changes in response to changes in posture and temperature.
With
The rate of change in resistance due to the temperature change of the fourth electrode is the same as the rate of change in resistance due to the temperature change of the third electrode .
The rate of change in resistance due to the change in attitude of the fourth electrode is 90% or less of the rate of change in resistance due to the change in attitude of the third electrode during the change in attitude at room temperature.
The pattern of the third electrode has a plurality of overlapping portions in which the resistance lines constituting the third electrode are folded back in a zigzag shape in a plan view and formed in parallel with each other, and the arrangement direction of the plurality of overlapping portions. Is a pattern that matches the extending direction of the third electrode.
The pattern of the fourth electrode has a plurality of overlapping portions in which the resistance lines constituting the fourth electrode are folded back in a zigzag shape in a plan view and formed in parallel with each other, and the arrangement direction of the plurality of overlapping portions. Is a pattern that matches the extending direction of the fourth electrode.
The pattern of the third electrode and the pattern of the fourth electrode have a synchronized period.
Of the first electrode and the second electrode, the pattern of the electrodes formed on the same surface as the third electrode and the fourth electrode has a rectangular grid consisting of fine lines in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. It is a mesh pattern,
The rectangular region having the overlapping portion of the adjacent set of the patterns of the third electrode and the fourth electrode as opposite sides and the grid of the mesh pattern have the same or approximate shape, and the same or approximate size. And
The electrode having the mesh pattern, the third electrode, and the fourth electrode are in close proximity to each other.
A touch panel in which the grid and the rectangular region are regularly arranged in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction as a whole. The line width of the resistance wire constituting the third electrode is formed to be thick at the overlapping portion and thin at the folded portion connecting the overlapping portions.
The touch panel according to claim 4 , wherein the line width of the resistance wire constituting the fourth electrode is thin at the overlapping portion and thick at the folded portion connecting the overlapping portions. The line width of the resistance wire constituting the third electrode is formed to be thick at the overlapping portion and thin at the folded portion connecting the overlapping portions.
The touch panel according to claim 4 , wherein the line widths of the resistance wires constituting the fourth electrode are formed to have the same width. The line widths of the resistance wires constituting the third electrode are formed to have the same width.
The touch panel according to claim 4 , wherein the line width of the resistance wire constituting the fourth electrode is thin at the overlapping portion and thick at the folded portion connecting the overlapping portions. The touch panel according to claim 4 to 7 , wherein the folded portion of the resistance wire folded back in a zigzag shape in a plan view constituting each of the third electrode and the fourth electrode is curvedly folded back. The touch panel according to claim 4 to 7 , wherein the folded portion of the resistance wire folded back in a zigzag shape in a plan view constituting each of the third electrode and the fourth electrode is linearly folded back. The touch panel according to claim 1, 2 or 5 to 7 , wherein the fourth electrode is made of the same material as the third electrode having a pattern different from that of the fourth electrode. A plurality of the third electrodes are arranged adjacent to each other, and the third electrodes are alternately connected at one side end portion and the other side end portion in the extending direction thereof, and are zigzag in a plan view as a whole. Formed in
A plurality of the fourth electrodes are arranged adjacent to each other, and the fourth electrodes are alternately connected at one side end portion and the other side end portion in the extending direction thereof, and are zigzag in a plan view as a whole. The touch panel of claims 1 to 10 formed in. The third electrode and the fourth electrode, wherein the said panel member of the first electrode and the second electrode are formed on the same surface as the electrode disposed on the opposite side, of the claims 1-11 Touch panel. The touch panel according to any one of claims 1 to 12 , wherein the shape of the panel member is rectangular, and the extending direction of the third electrode is parallel to the short side of the panel member.

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