Input device with an electrostatic capacity detector

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12293047-B2
Application number	US-202418425928-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 29, 2024
Priority date	Feb 3, 2023
Publication date	May 6, 2025
Grant date	May 6, 2025

Abstract

An input device includes: a panel on which a pressing operation is performed by an operating body; a substrate provided on a back surface side of the panel; a first electrode provided on the substrate; a holder that is provided on a back surface side of the substrate, includes a second electrode at a part facing the first electrode, and engages with the panel; a push-in detector that detects electrostatic capacity between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a vibration device held by the holder. The holder moves relative to the substrate when the pressing operation is performed on the panel, has rigidity and conductivity, and covers the second electrode from its back surface side.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An input device comprising:
a panel on which a pressing operation is performed by an operating body;
a substrate provided on a back surface side of the panel;
a first electrode provided on the substrate;
a holder provided on a back surface side of the substrate, the holder including a second electrode at a part facing the first electrode, the holder engaging with the panel;
an electrostatic capacity detector that detects electrostatic capacity between the first electrode and the second electrode; and
an actuator held by the holder, wherein
the holder moves relative to the substrate when the pressing operation is performed on the panel, has rigidity and conductivity, and covers the second electrode from a back surface side thereof,
the panel includes a first portion on which the pressing operation is performed and a second portion around the first portion, and is engaged with the holder at a plurality of locations in the first portion in a plan view of the panel,
the second portion is more flexible than the first portion, and
a first location of the plurality of locations is provided at a center portion of the first portion in the plan view, and a second location of the plurality of locations is provided along a boundary between the first portion and the second portion.

2. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein
at least one of the panel or the holder includes a plurality of engagement portions protruding for engagement at the plurality of locations, and
the substrate includes a plurality of penetrating holes through which the plurality of engagement portions are to be inserted.

3. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein
the holder includes metal.

4. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein
the holder includes a plate portion having rigidity and insulation, and a metal layer on a front surface of the plate portion.

5. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein
the holder is connected to ground.

6. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein
the first electrode is provided on a back surface of the substrate.

7. The input device according to claim 6 , wherein
the electrostatic capacity detector is provided at a position on a front surface of the substrate, the position being opposite to the first electrode with the substrate interposed therebetween, and
the electrostatic capacity detector and the first electrode are connected through a through hole provided in the substrate between the electrostatic capacity detector and the first electrode.

8. The input device according to claim 6 , wherein
the electrostatic capacity detector is provided at a position on a front surface of the substrate, the front surface being opposite to the first electrode with the substrate interposed therebetween, and
the electrostatic capacity detector and the first electrode are connected through a through hole provided in the substrate.

9. The input device according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a controller that controls vibration of the actuator based on an output of the electrostatic capacity detector, wherein
the controller disables the output of the electrostatic capacity detector during a period while the actuator is driven.

10. The input device according to claim 9 , wherein
the controller disables the output of the electrostatic capacity detector for a predetermined period after the period while the actuator is driven.

11. The input device according to claim 10 , wherein
the controller varies the predetermined period depending on a driving mode of the actuator.

12. The input device according to claim 11 , wherein
the driving mode includes at least one of vibration intensity, a vibration waveform, or a vibration period of the actuator.

13. The input device according to claim 10 , wherein
the predetermined period is a fixed period set in advance.

14. The input device according to claim 9 , further comprising:
a sensor film that detects an operation position of the pressing operation, wherein
the controller further disables an output of the sensor film during a period while the actuator is driven.

15. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein
the holder and the actuator are mechanically connected in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the panel, and
the actuator vibrates in the direction perpendicular to the surface.

16. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein
the holder includes a plate portion and a protruding portion protruding from an end portion of the plate portion toward the substrate.

17. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein
when the pressing operation is performed on the panel, the holder moves in a direction away from the substrate without being substantially deformed.

18. An input device comprising:
a panel on which a pressing operation is performed by an operating body;
a substrate provided on a back surface side of the panel;
a first electrode provided on the substrate;
a holder provided on a back surface side of the substrate, the holder including a second electrode at a part facing the first electrode, the holder engaging with the panel; and
an electrostatic capacity detector that detects electrostatic capacity between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein
the holder moves relative to the substrate when the pressing operation is performed on the panel, has rigidity and conductivity, and covers the second electrode from a back surface side thereof,
the panel includes a first portion on which the pressing operation is performed and a second portion around the first portion, and is engaged with the holder at a plurality of locations in the first portion in a plan view of the panel,
the second portion is more flexible than the first portion, and
a first location of the plurality of locations is provided at a center portion of the first portion in the plan view, and a second location of the plurality of locations is provided along a boundary between the first portion and the second portion.

19. An input device comprising:
a panel on which a pressing operation is performed by an operating body;
a substrate provided on a back surface side of the panel;
a first electrode provided on a back surface of the substrate;
a holder provided on a back surface side of the substrate, the holder including a second electrode at a part facing the first electrode, the holder engaging with the panel;
an electrostatic capacity detector that detects electrostatic capacity between the first electrode and the second electrode; and
an actuator held by the holder, wherein
the holder moves relative to the substrate when the pressing operation is performed on the panel, has rigidity and conductivity, and covers the second electrode from a back surface side thereof.

20. The input device according to claim 19 , wherein
the electrostatic capacity detector is provided at a position on a front surface of the substrate, the position being opposite to the first electrode with the substrate interposed therebetween, and
the electrostatic capacity detector and the first electrode are connected through a through hole provided in the substrate between the electrostatic capacity detector and the first electrode.

Assignees

• Panasonic Ip Man Co Ltd
• Panasonic Automotive Systems Co Ltd

Inventors

• Shakado Yoshifumi
• Masutani Takeshi
• Eto Hideaki

Classifications

• G06F3/016 Primary

  Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user · CPC title

• G06F3/0446

  using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes · CPC title

• G06F2203/04105

  Pressure sensors for measuring the pressure or force exerted on the touch surface without providing the touch position · CPC title

• G06F3/0445 Primary

  using two or more layers of sensing electrodes, e.g. using two layers of electrodes separated by a dielectric layer · CPC title