JP5921811B2 - Electronics - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device including a touch panel.

  Currently, touch panels, touch pads, and the like (hereinafter collectively referred to as touch panels) are widely used as input devices for electronic devices. In such an input device, when an operator operates the touch panel, various types of devices that feed back an operational feeling to the operator's fingertip or the like by vibrating the touch panel have been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). .

  FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the electronic device described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the electronic device (display device) described in Patent Document 1 includes a display monitor 100, a panel fixing frame 210, a touch panel 400, and a cover 500. This electronic device is configured by assembling each component such as the touch panel 400 to the display monitor 100.

  In the electronic device described in Patent Document 1, the display monitor 100 is composed of a liquid crystal display (LCD), and has a rectangular and flat shape as a whole. The display monitor 100 is mounted on a circuit board (not shown), and displays objects such as keys and buttons or various information on the display surface according to control by a display control circuit mounted on the circuit board. On the display surface of the display monitor 100, the touch panel 400 having the same size as that of the monitor 100 is assembled.

  In the touch panel 400, for example, when a matrix-like switch circuit is formed on a transparent resin plate and the panel surface is contacted by an operator's fingertip or the like, a detection signal corresponding to the contact position is mounted on a circuit board (not shown). Output to the touch panel control circuit. That is, the operator can input various information corresponding to the display to the electronic device by operating the panel 400 according to the display on the display monitor 100 displayed through the touch panel 400.

  In this electronic device, as shown in FIG. 6, piezoelectric elements (piezo elements) 420 are attached along two opposing sides on the back surface side of the touch panel 400. When the touch panel 400 detects contact by an operator, the electronic device applies a drive signal (voltage) to the piezoelectric element 420 from a piezoelectric element drive circuit mounted on a circuit board (not shown). When the drive signal is received, the piezoelectric element 420 expands and contracts, so that the electronic device can generate vibration on the operation surface of the touch panel 400. That is, the touch panel 400 vibrates with the above operation, so that the operator can obtain an operational feeling.

  Note that the display control circuit, touch panel control circuit, and piezoelectric element driving circuit described above are mounted on independent circuit boards, mounted on a common circuit board, or mounted on an independent circuit board. The other two circuits are mounted on a common circuit board or mounted in various ways.

  The touch panel 400 is assembled to the display monitor 100 via the panel fixing frame 210. The panel fixing frame 210 is formed of a hard resin material such as ABS, so that the entire panel fixing frame 210 has rigidity.

  As shown in FIG. 6, holders 220 that hold the touch panel 400 at its four corners are assembled to the panel fixing frame 210. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view showing that one of the four holders 220 is attached to the corner of the touch panel 400. Each holder 220 is formed with a slit-like insertion portion 360 into which a corner portion of the touch panel 400 can be inserted. As shown in FIG. 6, a fixing hole 320 for fixing the holder 220 is provided on the peripheral side surface of the panel fixing frame 210 near the end of each side surface. Then, the hooks 340a formed on the holder 220 shown in FIG. 7 are inserted into the fixing holes 320 shown in FIG. 6, so that each holder 220 fixes the touch panel 400 to the panel fixing frame 210.

  As described above, when the four corners of the touch panel 400 are inserted into the respective holders 220, the respective holders 220 hold the touch panel 400 from the outside at the four corners and also from both sides in the thickness direction. Therefore, the electronic device described in Patent Document 1 can be arranged such that the touch panel 400 is fixed.

  Each of the holders 220 is made of a material having a smaller elastic coefficient than that of the panel fixing frame 210, and is integrally formed of, for example, silicon-based resin or rubber. As described above, the holder 220 is configured to be elastically deformable so that the touch panel 400 can vibrate while stably holding the touch panel 400. Note that a gap that allows displacement of the touch panel 400 in the thickness direction is secured between the touch panel 400 and the display monitor 100. For this reason, when the piezoelectric element 420 vibrates, the displacement of the touch panel 400 in the thickness direction accompanying the vibration is possible.

JP 2010-44497 A

  By the way, in the electronic device described in Patent Document 1, the touch panel 400 and the piezoelectric element 420 are integrally displaced. For this reason, the touch panel 400 and the piezoelectric element 420 are connected to a circuit board that is fixed to the housing and arranged via a flexible wiring board such as a flexible printed circuit (FPC). ing.

  However, if both the touch panel 400 and the piezoelectric element 420 are connected to the circuit board through the FPC in this way, there is a concern that the number of parts increases and the cost increases. In addition, since the FPC increases, there is a concern that the vibration of the touch panel 400 may be suppressed by the reaction force of the bending of the FPC due to the vibration of the touch panel 400. In addition, each FPC needs to be arranged so as not to interfere with each other due to the vibration of the touch panel 400 and so as not to interfere with other adjacent members. Therefore, since it is necessary to secure a sufficient space around the FPC, there is a concern that the apparatus may be increased in size.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention made in view of such circumstances is an electronic device capable of reducing the number of parts, reducing the cost, and reducing the vibration of the touch panel as much as possible, and reducing the size and thickness of the device. To provide equipment.

The invention of the electronic device according to the present invention that achieves the above object is as follows:
A touch panel;
A vibration member attached to the touch panel to vibrate the touch panel;
A circuit board disposed opposite to the back surface of the touch panel;
Is configured to contact with the touch panel, the touch panel can vibrate supported on the circuit board, a plurality of conductive elastic support member is at least one preparative Electrical connection of the touch panel and the vibration member,
It is characterized by providing.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and reduce the cost, and furthermore, it is possible to realize an electronic device that can reduce the vibration of the touch panel as much as possible and can reduce the size and thickness of the device. .

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the electronic device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a general | schematic expanded sectional view along the II-II line of FIG. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the touch panel of FIG. 1. It is a partial schematic sectional drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the elastic support member of FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the electronic device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the conventional electronic device. FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged perspective view of FIG. 6.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
1 to 4 are diagrams for explaining an electronic apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an electronic device. FIG. 2 is a schematic enlarged sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the touch panel of FIG. 4A and 4B are partial schematic cross-sectional views for explaining the operation of the elastic support member of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a housing 10, a touch panel 20, and a bezel 30 in appearance. Although the case 10 is shown as one case in the illustrated example, the case 10 may be configured by integrally combining an upper case and a lower case. In this case, between the upper housing and the lower housing, in a state where they are integrally combined, for example, a known sealing structure with a rubber packing is used, for example, appropriate dustproof and waterproof measures. It is assumed that The housing 10 is preferably made of, for example, a resin that can withstand a certain degree of impact.

  The touch panel 20 has a rectangular shape as will be described later, and is disposed on the display surface side of the display unit. The touch panel 20 is an operator's finger, stylus pen, or the like (hereinafter simply referred to as “contact object”) for the object displayed on the display unit. ”Is collectively detected on the touch surface 20 a of the corresponding touch panel 20. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the “touch panel” is described assuming a member that is disposed on the display surface side of the display unit, that is, provided separately from the display unit. In addition, the touch panel 20 detects the contact position of the contact object with respect to the touch surface 20a and notifies the control unit (not shown) of the detected contact position.

  The touch panel 20 may be a known type such as a resistive film type, a capacitance type, or an optical type. In addition, when the touch panel 20 detects the contact by a contact thing, it is not essential that a contact thing touches the touch panel 20 physically. For example, when the touch panel 20 is optical, the touch panel 20 detects a position where the infrared light on the touch panel 20 is blocked by the contact object, and thus it is not necessary for the contact object to touch the touch panel 20.

  The bezel 30 is mounted so as to be fitted into the upper portion of the housing 10 so as to cover the peripheral edge portion of the upper surface of the touch panel 20. That is, in the present embodiment, the bezel 30 is attached to the housing 10 so as to straddle between the housing 10 and the touch panel 20 with the housing 10 as a support member. The bezel 30 can be made of, for example, metal, plastic, resin, and the like, and is preferably made of a material having a certain degree of strength while being thin.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a circuit board 40 and a display unit 50 are built in the housing 10. The display unit 50 displays various objects such as push button switches used for input operations by the operator as images. This object is an image that suggests to the operator an area to be touched on the touch surface of the touch panel 20. The display unit 50 is configured using, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic EL display panel, or the like, and is mounted on the circuit board 40.

  In addition to the display unit 50 being mounted on the circuit board 40, circuits necessary for the operation of the electronic device 1 such as a control circuit for the touch panel 20 and a driving circuit for a piezoelectric element to be described later mounted on the touch panel 20 are appropriately mounted. .

  The touch panel 20 is supported on the circuit board 40 via conductive elastic support members 60a-60d (60c and 60d are not shown) at the four corners of the back surface 20b opposite to the touch surface 20a. In the present embodiment, one-end movable probe pins called pogo pins are used as the conductive elastic support members 60a-60d, respectively, and the fixed ends 61a-61d (61c and 61d are not shown) are used as circuits. Connected to the substrate 40, the movable ends 62a to 62d (62c and 62d are not shown) are brought into contact with the back surface 20b of the touch panel 20. Further, an elastic member 70 such as silicon rubber or gel is disposed between the touch panel 20 and the bezel 30 over the periphery on the touch surface 20a side. Accordingly, the touch panel 20 is sandwiched between the conductive elastic support members 60a-60d and the elastic member 70 by the elastic force of the conductive elastic support members 60a-60d and the elastic force of the elastic member 70, and the display unit It is arranged on the display surface side of 50 so as to be displaceable.

  As shown in FIG. 3, on the back surface 20b of the touch panel 20, contact terminal portions 21a-21d are formed at the four corners so that the movable ends 62a-62d of the conductive elastic support members 60a-60d shown in FIG. ing. Further, on the back surface 20b, the two opposite sides 22a and 22b (short sides in FIG. 3) of the touch panel 20 are respectively connected to the contact terminal portions 21a to 21d and the corresponding sides from the contact terminal portions 21a to 21d are connected. Wiring patterns 23a-23d extending to the center are formed.

  That is, in the side 22a, the wiring pattern 23a is formed extending from the contact terminal portion 21a to the vicinity of the central portion of the side 22a, and extending from the contact terminal portion 21b to the vicinity of the central portion of the side 22a. 23b is formed. Similarly, in the side 22b, a wiring pattern 23c is formed extending from the contact terminal portion 21c to the vicinity of the center of the side 22b, and extending from the contact terminal portion 21d to the vicinity of the center of the side 22b. A pattern 23d is formed.

  Further, on the back surface 20b of the touch panel 20, piezoelectric elements 24 and 25 that extend in the length direction along the sides 22a and 22b are mounted in the vicinity of the sides 22a and 22b. The piezoelectric element 24 is mounted by bonding or the like with one electrode 24a in contact with the wiring pattern 23a and the other electrode 24b in contact with the wiring pattern 23b. Similarly, the piezoelectric element 25 is mounted by bonding or the like with one electrode 25a in contact with the wiring pattern 23c and the other electrode 25b in contact with the wiring pattern 23d.

  Thus, the electrodes 24a and 24b of the piezoelectric element 24 are electrically connected to the conductive elastic support members 60a and 60b via the corresponding wiring patterns 23a and 23b and the contact terminal portions 21a and 21b of the touch panel 20. Similarly, the electrodes 25a and 25b of the piezoelectric element 25 are electrically connected to the conductive elastic support members 60c and 60d (not shown) via the corresponding wiring patterns 23c and 23d and the contact terminal portions 21c and 21d of the touch panel 20. .

  A drive signal is applied to the piezoelectric elements 24 and 25 from the piezoelectric element drive circuit (not shown) through the circuit board 40, the conductive elastic support members 60a-60d, the contact terminal portions 21a-21d, and the wiring patterns 23a-23d. Thereby, the piezoelectric elements 24 and 25 vibrate in the length direction and cause the touch panel 20 to bend and vibrate. The signal line of the touch panel 20 is connected to the circuit board 20 via an FPC (not shown).

  The electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment corresponds to the movable ends 62a to 62d of the conductive elastic support members 60a to 60d made of one-end movable probe pins in a state where the touch panel 20 is not pressed by the contact object. It is configured to protrude sufficiently from the fixed ends 61 a to 61 d and to contact the corresponding contact terminal portions 21 a to 21 d of the touch panel 20. FIG. 4A shows the conductive elastic support member 60a in this state. Therefore, from this state, when the touch panel 20 is pressed by the contact object, the movable ends 62a-62d of the conductive elastic support members 61a-61d are displaced toward the fixed ends 61a-61d according to the pressing force. FIG. 4B shows the conductive elastic support member 60a in this state.

  When the pressing load satisfies a predetermined standard for presenting tactile sensation, it is determined that the touch operation on the touch panel 20 has been performed, and the piezoelectric elements 24 and 25 are driven via the conductive elastic support members 60a-60d. Apply a signal. As a result, the piezoelectric elements 24 and 25 are expanded and contracted in the longitudinal direction to cause the touch panel 20 to bend and vibrate, and in response to a drive signal for driving the piezoelectric elements 24 and 25 with respect to a contact object touching the touch surface 20a. Present a feeling of touch.

  Here, for example, the pressure load can be detected by using the piezoelectric elements 24 and 25 in common, or can be detected by a load detecting piezoelectric element or a strain gauge sensor separate from the driving load. It can also be configured. Further, when the pressing load satisfies a predetermined standard for presenting tactile sensation, it may be when the detected pressing load reaches a reference value for presenting tactile sensation. It may be when the reference value to be presented is exceeded, or when a reference value that provides a tactile sensation is detected.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the touch panel 20 is supported on the circuit board 40 by the conductive elastic support members 60a-60d made of one-end movable probe pins, and via the conductive elastic support members 60a-60d. Thus, a drive signal is applied to the piezoelectric elements 24 and 25. Accordingly, since the FPC of the piezoelectric elements 24 and 25 is not necessary, the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced accordingly. Further, since the FPC can be reduced, it is possible to reduce the suppression of the vibration of the touch panel 20 due to the reaction force of the FPC bending. In particular, the conductive elastic support members 60a-60d are composed of one-end movable probe pins, and the movable ends 62a-62d easily expand and contract in accordance with the displacement of the touch panel 20, so that vibration of the touch panel 20 can be suppressed. As much as possible. In addition, since the FPC can be reduced, the space between the touch panel 20 and the substrate 40 can be reduced, thereby enabling the electronic device 1 to be reduced in size and thickness.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the elastic member 70 is disposed between the touch panel 20 and the bezel 30 over the periphery on the touch surface 20a side. Accordingly, a dustproof and waterproof effect is also obtained.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of an electronic apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to FIG. The electronic device 2 according to the present embodiment is the same as the electronic device 1 according to the first embodiment. And between the side surface of the touch panel 20 and the housing 10. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  As described above, if the elastic member 70 is provided between the touch panel 20, the bezel 30, and the housing 10 so as to wrap the upper surface periphery and the side surface of the touch panel 20 over the entire periphery of the touch panel 20, the first implementation is performed. In addition to the effect of the form, the dustproof and waterproof effect can be further enhanced.

  In addition, this invention is not limited only to the said embodiment, Many deformation | transformation or a change is possible. For example, in the above embodiment, the touch panel 20 is supported at four points by using four conductive elastic support members, but the touch panel 20 can be supported by using more conductive elastic support members. . Thereby, it can replace with the piezoelectric elements 24 and 25, or both the piezoelectric elements 24 and 25 and the touch panel 20 and the circuit board 40 can also be connected via a conductive elastic support member. Furthermore, also when providing the touch panel 20 with the piezoelectric element and strain gauge sensor for a load detection, these and a circuit board can be connected via a conductive elastic support member.

  Further, the conductive elastic support member is not limited to a single-end movable probe pin, and a double-end movable probe pin can be used. In addition, when the movable probe pin is used as described above, it is possible to detect the pressing load on the touch panel 20 based on the displacement of the movable end. The conductive elastic support member is not limited to a movable probe pin, and can be configured using various elastic members having conductivity, such as conductive rubber, leaf springs, wire springs, coil springs, and the like.

  Moreover, in the structure which arrange | positions the elastic member 70 between the touch panel 20 and the bezel 30 like 1st Embodiment, it replaces with the elastic member 70 and arrange | positions a sheet-like member, and obtains a dustproof effect. You can also.

  Moreover, in embodiment mentioned above, the aspect which displays an object on the display part 50 arrange | positioned on the back side of the touch panel 20, and the touch panel 20 detects an operator's contact was demonstrated. However, the present invention is not limited to such an aspect. For example, an aspect in which the object is directly printed on the touch surface of the touch panel 20 with ink or the like without the display unit 50 is assumed. You can also.

  In the above embodiment, the touch panel 20 is used to detect contact with the touch surface of the touch panel 20. That is, in the above embodiment, the “touch panel 20” has been described assuming a member such as a so-called touch sensor. However, the touch panel used in the electronic device according to the present invention may be any as long as it can be touched by a contact object such as an operator's finger or a stylus pen.

  For example, the touch panel used in the electronic device according to the present invention may be a member such as a simple “panel” that does not detect the position of contact of the contact object with the touch surface (that is, does not have a sensing function). In addition, regardless of the presence / absence of the sensing function of the contact position, for example, when a load detection unit for detecting a pressing load is further provided and the pressing load detected by the load detection unit satisfies a predetermined standard for presenting a tactile sensation Furthermore, it can be determined that the touch panel has been touched, and the touch panel can be vibrated by driving the vibration unit.

  As described above, such a load detection unit can be configured by providing an arbitrary number of strain gauge sensors, piezoelectric elements, and the like on the touch panel. Moreover, it can comprise according to the contact detection system in a touch panel, without using a strain gauge sensor, a piezoelectric element, etc. For example, in the case of the resistive film method, the load can be detected from the change in the output signal based on the resistance change due to the contact area. Further, in the case of the electrostatic capacity method, the load can be detected from the change in the output signal based on the change in the electrostatic capacity.

  Further, the number of piezoelectric elements that vibrate the touch panel is not limited to two, but may be an arbitrary number. For example, a transparent piezoelectric element can be provided on the entire surface of the touch panel so that the touch panel can be vibrated.

  In the above-described embodiment, the display unit 50 and the touch panel 20 may be configured by an integrated device by providing both functions of the display unit and the contact detection unit on a common substrate. As an example of an apparatus in which both functions of the display unit and the contact detection unit are integrated as described above, a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements such as photodiodes are regularly mixed in a matrix electrode array of pixel electrodes of a liquid crystal panel. Can be mentioned. This device displays an image with a liquid crystal panel structure, while reflecting the light of the backlight for liquid crystal display with the tip of a pen that touches the desired position on the panel surface, and the reflected light is reflected by peripheral photoelectric conversion elements. The touch position can be detected by receiving the light.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the piezoelectric element is disposed on the back surface (bottom surface) of the touch panel 20 has been described. 2, the elastic member 70 may be closer to the center, and a piezoelectric element may be formed on the upper surface of the touch panel 20.
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where a piezoelectric element is used as the vibration member has been described. However, the vibration member can be vibrated directly or indirectly by driving by receiving electric supply from the outside. Any member that can be deformed may be used. For example, the touch panel 20 may be configured to indirectly vibrate by vibrating the electronic device based on a vibration motor (eccentric motor) or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 Electronic device 10 Case 20 Touch panel 20a Touch surface 20b Back surface 21a-21d Contact terminal part 22a, 22b Side 23a-23d Wiring pattern 24, 25 Piezoelectric element 24a, 24b, 25a, 25b Electrode 30 Bezel 40 Circuit board 50 Display Part 60a, 60b Conductive elastic support member 61a, 61b Fixed end 62a, 62b Movable end 70 Elastic member

Claims (1)

A touch panel;
A vibration member attached to the touch panel to vibrate the touch panel;
A circuit board disposed opposite to the back surface of the touch panel;
Is configured to contact with the touch panel, the touch panel can vibrate supported on the circuit board, a plurality of conductive elastic support member is at least one preparative Electrical connection of the touch panel and the vibration member,
An electronic device comprising:

Images