JP2007094663A - Input device and its manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device and its manufacturing method easily attaining miniaturization, thinning and cost reduction. <P>SOLUTION: The input device 1 is constituted to form an input detecting part 5 of a sensor 4 integrally at an insulating resin support body 2. In the manufacturing method of the input device 1, the input detecting part 5 of the sensor 4 is formed beforehand on one face of a transfer film TF, and the transfer film TF is disposed in a molding die M for in-mold transfer when molding the insulating resin support body 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device suitable for information input operation by an operator and a method for manufacturing the same.

  Conventionally, in various electronic devices such as a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an automatic teller machine (ATM), a car navigation device, a computer digitizer, and a remote controller, an operator performs an input operation of information. The input device is used.

  In such an input device, an input operation unit (input operation surface) formed on a housing of an electronic device is provided with an input detection unit of a flat sensor, specifically, a predetermined pattern of electrodes called a sensing pattern. An input operation of information such as characters, numerical values, and symbols is performed by bringing an operator's fingertip or stylus into contact with a portion facing these electrodes (for example, Patent Documents). 1).

  In addition, the input detection part of the sensor is arrange | positioned on one surface of the flexible board | substrate which has insulation, such as a polyimide (PI) or a polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

  Further, in an input device using a sensor, when an input operation is performed, information is input simply by the operator touching the sensor, so there is no operational feeling and there is a high risk of erroneous input unintended by the operator. . Therefore, in addition to the sensor, an operation feeling generating means that responds to the pressing operation of the operator with a reaction force is provided on the back surface of the sensor, so that the operator can recognize that the input operation has been performed.

  Further, by making the operational feeling generating means a mechanical contact type (reversed metal contact type) switch, erroneous input can be prevented. Furthermore, in an electronic device, for example, an input operation unit of a cellular phone, a display sheet having an instruction display for instructing a plurality of input locations is provided on the surface of the sensor to input preset information. Can also be done.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a conventional input device.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the conventional input device 101 has an input means 102 disposed in an input operation unit of a casing of an electronic device, for example, an input operation unit of a mobile phone. This input means 102 is used for information input operation, and has a planar sensor 103. As such a sensor 103, a capacitance type sensor or a sensitive type sensor is used, and its input detection unit 104 is a PI formed in a flat plate shape having flexibility like a flexible wiring board. Or it forms by providing the electrode of the predetermined pattern called a sensing pattern in one surface of the flexible board | substrate which has insulation, such as PET. The surface of such an electrode is covered with a protective film or a protective substrate formed of an insulating resin having a uniform thickness for protection from corrosion and damage.

  A display sheet 105 is laminated and fixed on the upper surface (front surface) of the input detection unit 104 of the sensor 103 (the display sheet 105 is shown separated for convenience in FIG. 3). The display sheet 105 is formed of a resin sheet such as PET or a silicon rubber sheet so as to have flexibility and transparency, and a plurality of pieces of individual information such as letters, numbers and symbols are formed on the surface thereof. An instruction display indicating an input location is formed by a printing process or a transfer process. In each instruction display, a circular frame indicating an input location is formed, and characters, numbers, symbols, or the like indicating individual functions are printed or transferred in the frame.

  On the lower surface (rear surface) of the input detection unit 104 of the sensor 103, operation feeling generation means 106 is provided. This operation feeling generating means 106 has a plurality of metal domes 107 as reversal plates formed of a metal in the form of a disc-shaped reversible dome having a convex center at the top. These metal domes 107 are individually provided at positions corresponding to instruction indications indicating the input locations. Furthermore, the upper surface of each metal dome 107 is covered collectively or individually with an insulating and flexible protective sheet 108 formed of a resin such as PET.

  The metal dome 107 is disposed on the wiring substrate 109 formed of glass epoxy resin or the like with its bottom surface facing downward. Further, the metal dome 107 is a movable contact of a mechanical contact type (inverted metal contact type) switch, and the bottom surface of the metal dome 107 is connected to a common fixed electrode 110 formed on the wiring board 109. . A central fixed electrode 111 is formed on the wiring substrate 109 located below the top of the metal dome 107.

  On the upper surface (surface) of the wiring substrate 109, the insulating resin support 112 formed in a substantially flat shape with acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene (ABS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or the like was smoothly formed. The upper surface is disposed toward the sensor 103. The sensor 103 is laminated and fixed on the upper surface of the insulating resin support 112.

  A bottomed dome storage hole 113 for storing the metal dome 107 is recessed in the lower surface of the insulating resin support 112, and flexibility is imparted to the bottom of the dome storage hole 113. At the center of the bottom of the dome storage hole 113, an operation unit 114 is projected. The front end surface of the operation portion 114 is in contact with the top portion of the metal dome 107 via the protective sheet 108, and the dome storage hole 113 forming portion on the upper surface of the insulating resin support 112 is pushed downward. The central portion of the metal dome 107 conducts a switching operation by conducting with the central fixed electrode 111 with a click feeling to the operator.

  Therefore, the insulating resin support 112 is configured to have the functions of both the operation feeling generating means 106 that responds to the pressing operation of the operator with a reaction force and the actuator 115 of the metal dome 107 (switch). .

  A light source 116 made of LED or the like is disposed on the wiring board 109, and the insulating resin support 112 is formed of a transmissive material to form a light guide plate 117, thereby illuminating means called back illumination. 118 can be easily provided. In this case, the insulating resin support 112 is configured to have both a function as the actuator 115 of both the operation feeling generating means 106 and the switch and a function as the light guide plate 117 of the illumination means.

JP 2002-123363 A

  However, the conventional input device 101 has a problem that it cannot meet the recent demands for size reduction, thickness reduction, and cost reduction.

  Therefore, in order to reduce the size, thickness, and cost of the input device, it is desired to reduce the number of parts and the man-hours required for manufacturing.

  The present invention has been made in view of this point, and an object of the present invention is to provide an input device that can be easily reduced in size, thickness, and cost, and a method for manufacturing the same.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the input device according to the present invention is characterized in that an input unit including a sensor having an input detection unit for performing an input operation of information and a back surface of the sensor are provided. An input device having an insulating resin support, wherein the input detection portion of the sensor is formed integrally with the insulating resin support.

  Preferably, the sensor unit is a flat capacitive sensor or a flat sensitive sensor, and the insulating resin support generates an operational feeling that responds to an operator's pressing operation with a reaction force. Preferably it is an actuator of the means. Further, it is preferable that the operation feeling generating means can perform a switching operation by the pressing force when the sensor is pressed. In the present invention, in addition to the input by the switching operation, the input by the planar capacitive sensor or the planar sensitive sensor can also be performed. In addition, since the capacitance sensor or the sensitive sensor wiring is integrally formed on the actuator used for switching, the input means can be easily reduced in thickness although two types of input means are used. . For this reason, two types of input methods can be used even with the same thinness as before.

  A feature of the manufacturing method of the input device according to the present invention is that an input detection portion of the sensor is formed in advance on one surface of the transfer film, and the transfer film is placed in a molding die when the insulating resin support is molded. In-mold transfer.

  According to the input device of the present invention, since the input detection unit of the sensor is integrally formed on the surface of the insulating resin support facing the sensor, the input detection unit required when the sensors are individually formed is provided. There is no need for a flexible substrate to support, and there are extremely excellent effects such as miniaturization, thinning, and cost reduction.

  In addition, according to the method for manufacturing an input device according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an extremely excellent effect such that the input device according to the present invention can be obtained reliably and easily.

  The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a main part of an embodiment of an input device according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the input device 1 according to the present embodiment includes an input detection unit 5 of a sensor 4 constituting a part of the input means 3 on the upper surface, which is a surface of an insulating resin support 2, and more specifically, a sensing pattern It is formed by integrally forming electrodes 6 having a predetermined pattern called "." Further, a conductive (wiring) pattern 8 having one end connected to the electrode 6 and the other end connected to a connection terminal 7 provided on the side surface of the insulating resin support 2 is provided on the surface of the insulating resin support 2. The connection terminal 7 is electrically connected by a wiring used for connection with a control unit formed by a CPU, a memory, etc. (not shown) constituting another part of the input means 3 and a conductive bonding material 9 or the like. Has been. Examples of the conductive bonding material 9 include a conductive paste, an anisotropic conductive paste, and an anisotropic conductive film.

  As the sensor 4, a planar capacitive sensor or a planar sensitive sensor can be used.

  As the capacitance type sensor, those capable of inputting coordinates, for example, an X direction detection electrode and a Y direction detection electrode as electrodes formed of an Ag (silver) paste have insulating properties and are predetermined. For example, a resin-like insulating layer made of PET or the like having a dielectric constant of 1 to 5 may be opposed to each other in the form of a matrix. In a capacitance type sensor capable of inputting coordinates as described above, coordinates can be input by pressing the surface of the sensor with a finger or the like.

  In addition, as a capacitance type sensor, a keyboard capable of input operation, for example, a plurality of electrodes as an input detection unit is formed on the surface of a substrate such as a transparent substrate, and input operation is performed on each electrode. When a body or the like approaches or comes into contact, a configuration that can output an output signal related to a change in capacitance of the electrode can be exemplified.

  The pressure-sensitive sensor includes a resistor to which a potential difference is applied in the X and Y directions and a conductor facing the resistor, and the surface of the sensor is pressed with a finger or the like, whereby the conductor and the resistor And the resistance value is changed so that the coordinates can be input.

  As the sensor 4 of the input device 1 of the present embodiment, a planar capacitive sensor capable of inputting coordinates and having an X direction detection electrode and a Y direction detection electrode is used.

  A display sheet 10 is laminated and fixed on the upper surface (front surface) of the input detection unit 5 of the sensor 4 (in FIG. 1, the display sheet 10 is shown separated for convenience). The display sheet 10 is formed of a resin sheet such as PET or a silicone rubber sheet so as to be flexible and permeable, and has a surface on which a plurality of pieces of individual information such as letters, numbers and symbols are input. Is displayed by the printing process or the transfer process. In each instruction display, a circular frame indicating an input location is formed, and characters, numbers, symbols, or the like indicating individual functions are printed or transferred in the frame.

  On the lower surface (back surface) of the input detection unit 5 of the sensor 4, an operation feeling generating means 11 is provided. The operation feeling generating means 11 has a plurality of metal domes 12 as reversal plates formed of a metal in the form of a disc-shaped reversible dome having a convex center at the top. These metal domes 12 are individually provided at positions corresponding to instruction indications indicating the input locations. Furthermore, the upper surface of each metal dome 12 is covered collectively or individually with an insulating and flexible protective sheet 13 formed of a resin such as PET.

  The metal dome 12 is disposed on the wiring board 14 formed of glass epoxy resin or the like with its bottom face facing downward. Further, the metal dome 12 is a movable contact of a mechanical contact type (inverted metal contact type) switch, and the bottom surface of the metal dome 12 is connected to a common fixed electrode 15 formed on the wiring board 14. . A central fixed electrode 16 is formed on the wiring substrate 14 located below the top of the metal dome 12. The common fixed electrode 15 and the central fixed electrode 16 are connected to a conductor pattern (not shown) formed on the back surface of the wiring board 14 through through holes (via holes) formed in the wiring board 14. Are connected to a control unit formed by a CPU, a memory, and the like (not shown).

  On the upper surface (front surface) of the wiring substrate 14, an insulating resin support 2 formed in a substantially flat shape by ABS, PMMA or the like is disposed. And the input detection part 5 of the sensor 4 is integrally formed on the upper surface of the insulating resin support body 2. Further, a bottomed dome storage hole 17 for storing the metal dome 12 is recessed in the lower surface of the insulating resin support 2, and flexibility is given to the bottom of the dome storage hole 17. At the center of the bottom of the dome storage hole 17, an operation unit 18 is projected. The front end surface of the operation portion 18 is in contact with the top portion of the metal dome 12 via the protective sheet 13, and the formation portion of the dome storage hole 17 on the upper surface of the insulating resin support 2 is pushed downward. The central portion of the metal dome 12 conducts a switching operation by conducting with the central fixed electrode 16 with a click feeling to the operator.

  Therefore, the insulating resin support 2 includes an operation feeling generating means 11 that responds to the pressing operation of the operator with a reaction force, and a metal dome 12 that performs a switching operation by the pressing force when the operator presses the sensor 4 ( The switch) has a function as both actuators 19.

  Further, a light source 20 made of LEDs or the like is disposed on the wiring board 14, and the light guide plate 21 is formed by forming the insulating resin support 2 with a transparent material, which is referred to as backlighting. Illuminating means 22 is configured.

  Therefore, the insulating resin support 2 of the present embodiment is configured to have both the function as the actuator 19 of both the operation feeling generating means 11 and the switch and the function as the light guide plate 21 of the illumination means.

  Note that the illumination unit 22 may be provided according to the specifications of the electronic device, the design concept, and the like.

  Since other configurations are the same as those of a conventionally known input device, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Here, the manufacturing method of the input device of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the main part of an embodiment of the method for manufacturing an input device according to the present invention in the order of steps.

  The manufacturing method of the input device 1 according to the present embodiment is a configuration in which the input detection unit 5 of the capacitive sensor including the X direction detection electrode 6a and the Y direction detection electrode 6b on the insulating resin support 2 is integrally formed. Is illustrated.

  In the manufacturing method of the input device 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a first layer electrode 6 of a predetermined pattern, for example, an X direction detection electrode 6a, is set on a transfer film (transfer sheet) TF. Form.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 2A, a first conductive pattern 8a having a predetermined pattern is formed by screen-printing and curing a carbon paste on a transfer film TF formed of PET or the like. . Thereafter, the silver paste is screen-printed and cured to form a predetermined pattern X-direction detection electrode 6a. Thereafter, the interlayer insulating layer 23 is formed by covering and curing the first conductive pattern 8a and the X-direction detection electrode 6a with an interlayer insulating paste containing epoxy resin as a main component. At this time, it is preferable to form the surface of the interlayer insulating layer 23 so as to be smooth.

  Next, the second-layer electrode 6 is formed on the first-layer electrode 6.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 2B, a second conductive pattern 8b having a predetermined pattern is formed on the surface of the interlayer insulating layer 23 by screen printing and curing a carbon paste. Thereafter, the silver paste is screen-printed and cured to form the Y direction detection electrode 6b having a predetermined pattern. By these steps, the input detection unit 5 of the sensor 4 is formed on the transfer film TF.

  Next, the transfer film TF is inserted into a pair of molding dies M to mold the insulating resin support 2.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), after the transfer film TF is inverted at a predetermined position of the molding die M, specifically, the Y-direction detection electrode 6b is arranged toward the inside of the cavity of the molding die M, The insulating resin support 2 such as ABS or PET is injected into the cavity of the molding die M to inject the insulating resin support 2.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2D, the molded product MP is taken out from the molding die M.

  Next, by peeling the transfer film TF from the molded product MP, an intermediate product SU in which the input detection unit 5 of the sensor 4 is integrally formed on the insulating resin support 2 is obtained as shown in FIG. .

  Hereinafter, the steps for obtaining the input device 1 shown in FIG. 1 are the same as those in the prior art, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  Therefore, the manufacturing method of the input device 1 according to the present embodiment includes the input detection unit 5 of the sensor 4 on one surface of the transfer film TF as a method of integrally forming the input detection unit 5 of the sensor 4 on the insulating resin support 2. The transfer film TF is formed in advance and arranged in the molding die M when the insulating resin support 2 is molded, and is configured to perform in-mold transfer.

  In addition, as a method for forming the input detection unit 5 of the sensor 4 integrally with the insulating resin support 2, a plating method can be used.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described.

  According to the input device 1 of the present embodiment, since the input detection unit 5 of the sensor 4 is integrally formed with the insulating resin support 2, the input detection unit required when the conventional sensor 103 is formed individually. The flexible substrate for supporting 104 becomes unnecessary, and the number of parts can be easily reduced. As a result, downsizing, thinning, and cost reduction can be easily and reliably achieved. Further, the weight can be reduced by reducing the number of parts. Furthermore, since the sensor 4 and the control unit can be connected by the conductive bonding material 9 without using a connector, further reduction in size, weight, thickness and cost can be achieved.

  Further, according to the input device 1 of the present embodiment, since the sensor 4 is the flat capacitive sensor 4 or the flat sensitive sensor 4, it is possible to more reliably and easily reduce the size and thickness. Can do.

  Furthermore, according to the input device 1 of this embodiment, since the insulating resin support 2 is an actuator of the operation feeling generating means 11 that responds to the pressing operation of the operator with a reaction force, the operation feeling generating means 11 is provided. It is possible to more reliably and easily reduce the size, weight, thickness, and cost of the configuration.

  Furthermore, according to the input device 1 of the present embodiment, when the operation feeling generating means 11 pushes the sensor 4, a switching operation can be performed by the pressing force, so that a clear operation feeling by the pushing operation can be easily and reliably performed. Can get to. As a result, erroneous input can be prevented.

  According to the manufacturing method of the input device 1 of the present embodiment, the input detection unit 5 of the sensor 4 is formed in advance on one surface of the transfer film TF, and the transfer film TF is formed in the molding die M when the insulating resin support 2 is molded. Therefore, the input detection unit 5 of the sensor 4 can be easily formed integrally with the insulating resin support 2. As a result, the input device 1 can be obtained reliably and easily, and the man-hours required for manufacturing the input device 1 can be reduced. Therefore, productivity can be improved and cost reduction can be easily achieved.

  Furthermore, according to the manufacturing method of the input device 1 of the present embodiment, the multi-layered electrode 6 can be easily formed on one surface of the transfer film TF, so that the sensor 4 having the multi-layered electrode 6 as the input detection unit 5. It is suitable for.

  The input device of the present invention can be used in various electronic devices such as a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an automatic teller machine (ATM), a car navigation device, a computer digitizer, and a remote controller.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made as necessary.

The schematic block diagram which shows the principal part of embodiment of the input device which concerns on this invention (A)-(e) is explanatory drawing which shows the principal part of embodiment of the manufacturing method of the input device which concerns on this invention in order of a process. Schematic configuration diagram showing the main part of an example of a conventional input device

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Input device 2 Insulating resin support 3 Input means 4 Sensor 5 Input detection part 11 Operation feeling generation means 12 Metal dome 14 Wiring board 19 Actuator 20 Light source 21 Light guide plate 22 Illumination means 23 Interlayer insulation layer TF Transfer film M Mold MP molded product SU intermediate product

Claims (5)

An input device having an input unit including a sensor in which an input detection unit for performing an input operation of information is formed, and an insulating resin support disposed on the back surface of the sensor,
An input device, wherein an input detection unit of the sensor is formed integrally with the insulating resin support.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is a planar capacitive sensor or a planar sensitive sensor.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the insulating resin support is an actuator of an operation feeling generating unit that responds to a pressing operation of an operator with a reaction force.   The input device according to claim 3, wherein the operation feeling generating means can perform a switching operation by the pressing force when the sensor is pressed. In manufacturing the input device according to claim 1,
An input device manufacturing method comprising: forming an input detection portion of the sensor in advance on one surface of a transfer film; and placing the transfer film in a molding die when molding the insulating resin support to perform in-mold transfer. Method.

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