JP6778650B2 - Touchpad with antenna - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a touch pad with an antenna, and more particularly to a touch pad with an antenna provided with an antenna for wireless communication.

Touchpads that can detect the position of an operating body that is in contact with or close to the operating surface have become widespread and are used for moving the cursor on the screen of electronic devices such as laptop computers. The touch pad is used by being attached to an opening formed at a predetermined position (palm rest or the like) of a housing covering the main body of an electronic device such as a notebook computer.

The opening to which the touch pad is attached is also used to radiate a wireless signal (electromagnetic wave signal) generated by a communication circuit on the electronic device side to the outside of the electronic device. In recent years, a touch pad with an antenna in which an antenna for wireless communication connected to such a communication circuit is integrated with the touch pad has been put into practical use.

As a conventional touch pad with an antenna, a substrate having an operation surface having a predetermined operation area set on the upper side, a group of capacitance detection electrodes arranged in an area corresponding to the operation area of the substrate, and the substrate. An antenna-equipped touch pad provided with an antenna for wireless communication, which is located on the lower side and is arranged in a region overlapping the electrode forming region on which the capacitance detection electrode group is formed in a top view. The detection electrode group includes a first electrode group extending along a predetermined first direction and a second electrode group extending along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. Patent Document 1 discloses a touch pad with an antenna, characterized in that the antenna extends in a direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-130064

As a result of further studies by the present inventors on means for reducing the influence of noise on the touch pad with an antenna, the shape (extension direction) of the capacitance detection electrode group and the antenna shape as described in Patent Document 1 In addition to the relationship, it became clear that there are factors that influence the generation of noise.

An object of the present invention is to provide a touch pad with an antenna that can reduce the influence of noise by controlling the relationship of shapes in a plurality of elements constituting the touch pad with an antenna.

In one embodiment, the present invention provided to solve the above problems is arranged in a substrate in which an operation surface having a predetermined operation region is set on the upper side and a region corresponding to the operation region of the substrate. A capacitance detection electrode group, an antenna for wireless communication arranged in a region below the substrate and overlapping an electrode forming region on which the capacitance detection electrode group is formed, and the capacitance detection. A touch pad with an antenna provided with a ground electrode made of a conductive material arranged so as to overlap the entire area of the electrode forming region in a top view at a position below the electrode group and above the antenna. The capacitance detection electrode group includes a first electrode group extending along a predetermined first direction and a second electrode group extending along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The ground electrode has a plurality of comb tooth shapes formed by slits and arranged in the second direction, and each of the plurality of comb tooth shapes of the ground electrode has the first direction. The base portion of the plurality of comb-toothed shapes of the ground electrode has a shape in which the tooth portion extends in the second direction from the base portion extending to the ground electrode, and has a portion that overlaps a part of the antenna in a top view. Among the slits of the ground electrode, the portion forming the plurality of comb-shaped tooth portions is positioned so as to correspond between the electrodes of the second electrode group. It is a touch pad with an antenna.

As described in Patent Document 1, the influence of noise is reduced by setting the extension direction of the antenna so as to intersect the extension direction (first direction and second direction) of the capacitance detection electrode group. However, when the source of noise was further investigated, the capacitance detection electrode group (first electrode group, second electrode group) and the ground electrode were capacitively coupled to form a closed loop. It became clear that it was formed. When the capacitance detection electrode extending in the first direction or the second direction and the ground electrode are capacitively coupled to form a closed loop, the formed closed loop is magnetically coupled to the antenna, and the magnetic field from the antenna becomes noise. As a result, the detection sensitivity as a touch pad is lowered.

As a result of further studies by the present inventors, the larger the area of the closed loop formed as described above in the top view, the larger the electromagnetic interaction between the closed loop and the antenna, and the stronger the influence of noise tends to be. It became clear that there was. Therefore, the touch pad with an antenna according to one aspect of the present invention has a plurality of comb tooth shapes in which the ground electrodes are arranged in the second direction so that the area formed by the closed loop in the top view is not large. The comb tooth shape is formed by slits.

Then, the bases of the plurality of comb teeth of the ground electrode are arranged so as to have a portion overlapping with a part of the antenna in the top view. With such an arrangement, the influence of noise from the antenna on the first electrode group is reduced, although the reason is not clear. The electrical path of the closed loop formed by capacitively coupling the first electrode group and the ground electrode passes through this overlapping portion preferentially. Therefore, it may be difficult to form a closed loop having a large area when viewed from above.

Further, among the slits forming the plurality of comb teeth of the ground electrode, the slits forming the tooth portions (second slits) are arranged so as to be located between the electrodes of the second electrode group. Therefore, even if the electrodes of the second electrode group and the ground electrode are capacitively coupled, the extension of the electrical path in the first direction is hindered by the second slit, and a closed loop having a large area is formed in the top view. Hateful.

As described above, in the touch pad with an antenna according to one aspect of the present invention, the area of the closed loop magnetically coupled to the antenna in the top view is unlikely to be large, so that the influence of noise is reduced.

In the above-mentioned touch pad with an antenna, the plurality of comb tooth shapes of the ground electrode may be both comb tooth shapes. In this case, it is easy to superimpose the bases of the plurality of comb teeth of the ground electrode on the antenna located at the center of the electrode forming region in a top view.

In the above-mentioned touch pad with an antenna, the outer shape of the antenna in a top view is preferably a rectangular shape having a side along the first direction. When the outer shape of the top view of the antenna has such a shape, the portion of the ground electrode that overlaps with the base of each of the plurality of comb tooth shapes increases, and the influence of noise from the antenna on the first electrode group is increased. Can be reduced more stably.

In the above-mentioned touch pad with an antenna, at least a part of the power supply wiring for supplying power to the second electrode group is extended as a wiring group in the first direction and crosses at least a part of the antenna in a top view. It is preferable that they are arranged in such a manner. In this case, since the closed loop is likely to be formed so as to pass through this wiring group, it is difficult to form a large closed loop that spans a plurality of comb tooth shapes formed on the ground electrode. From the viewpoint of reducing the influence of the wiring group on signal detection, it is preferable that the wiring group is arranged so as to be located between the ground electrode and the antenna in the vertical direction.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a touch pad with an antenna that can reduce the influence of noise caused by the antenna.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the touch pad 1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the use example of the touch pad 1 shown in FIG. It is an exploded perspective view of the touch pad 1 shown in FIG. (A) is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the first electrode group 25 of the substrate 20 shown in FIG. 1, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the second electrode group 26 of the substrate 20 shown in FIG. (A) is an explanatory view showing the configuration of the ground electrode 27 of the substrate 20 shown in FIG. 1, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the antenna 28 of the substrate 20 shown in FIG. (A) An explanatory view showing the function of the ground electrode 27 included in the touch pad 1 shown in FIG. 1 in relation to the first electrode group 25, and (b) a second ground electrode 27 included in the touch pad 1 shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the function in relation to 2 electrode group 26. It is an exploded perspective view of the touch pad 101 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. (A) is an explanatory view showing the structure of the ground electrode forming layer 23 of the substrate 120 shown in FIG. 7, and (b) is an explanatory view showing the structure of the wiring forming layer 29 included in the touch pad 101 shown in FIG. 7.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the description may be advanced with the X1 direction as the left direction, the X2 direction as the right direction, the Y1 direction as the front, the Y2 direction as the rear, the Z1 direction as the upper side, and the Z2 direction as the lower side.

First, the configuration of the touch pad 1 (touch pad with an antenna) according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a touch pad 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a usage example of the touch pad 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the touch pad 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a first explanatory view showing the electrode shape of the substrate 20 shown in FIG. FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram showing the electrode shape of the first electrode group 25, and FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram showing the electrode shape of the second electrode group 26. FIG. 5 is a second explanatory view showing the electrode shape of the substrate 20 shown in FIG. FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram showing the electrode shape of the ground electrode 27, and FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram showing the electrode shape of the antenna 28.

The touch pad 1 is a touch pad of a method called a capacitance method. As shown in FIG. 1, the touch pad 1 includes an operation plate 10 having an operation surface 11 on the upper side and a substrate 20 arranged on the lower side of the operation plate 10. Then, the touch pad 1 can detect the position of an operating body such as a fingertip that is in contact with or is close to the operating surface 11. As shown in FIG. 2, such a touch pad 1 is attached to a predetermined position (palm rest or the like) of the housing 51 of an electronic device 50 such as a notebook computer so that the operation surface 11 is exposed, and the screen is displayed. It is used for moving the cursor.

The operation plate 10 is a plate-shaped member made of synthetic resin, and has substantially rectangular plate surfaces at the top and bottom. As shown in FIG. 3, the upper surface of the operation plate 10 is the operation surface 11, and a predetermined area of the operation surface 11 is the operation area 11a. In the present embodiment, the operation region 11a is a square region having sides along the first direction on the operation surface 11 and the second direction orthogonal to the first direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the first direction is the left-right direction and the second direction is the front-back direction.

The substrate 20 is a multilayer substrate made of synthetic resin, and has substantially rectangular plate surfaces at the top and bottom. As shown in FIG. 3, the substrate 20 has four electrode forming layers including a first electrode forming layer 21, a second electrode forming layer 22, a ground electrode forming layer 23, and an antenna forming layer 24. A predetermined electrode made of a conductive material such as copper is formed in the first electrode forming layer 21, the second electrode forming layer 22, the ground electrode forming layer 23, and the antenna forming layer 24.

The first electrode forming layer 21, the second electrode forming layer 22, the ground electrode forming layer 23, and the antenna forming layer 24 are, from the top, the first electrode forming layer 21, the second electrode forming layer 22, and the ground electrode forming layer 23. The antenna forming layers 24 are laminated in this order with an insulating layer (not shown) interposed therebetween. The first electrode forming layer 21 is the upper surface of the substrate 20, and the antenna forming layer 24 is the lower surface of the substrate 20. The upper side of the first electrode forming layer 21 and the lower side of the antenna forming layer 24 are covered with an insulating coating (not shown).

A first electrode group 25, which is a first capacitance detection electrode group, is formed on the first electrode forming layer 21 of the substrate 20. The first electrode group 25 is formed inside the first electrode forming region 21a, which is a square region that overlaps with the operating region 11a in top view. The first electrode group 25 is composed of a plurality of first electrodes 25a. As shown in FIG. 4A, the first electrode 25a is a substantially rectangular electrode extending along the first direction. The plurality of first electrodes 25a are arranged side by side at equal intervals along the second direction. In the present embodiment, the first electrode 25a of the first electrode group 25 is used as a detection electrode. In order to transmit the signal detected by the detection electrode to the control unit (not shown), a signal detection wiring 285 is provided on the X1-X2 direction (first direction) X2 side of the antenna 28 of the antenna forming layer 24 described later. It is provided. A through hole TH for connecting the first electrode 25a and the signal detection wiring 285 is provided on the X1-X2 direction (first direction) X2 side of the ground electrode 27 of the ground electrode forming layer 23 described later (FIG. 5). (A).).

A second electrode group 26, which is a second capacitance detection electrode group, is formed on the second electrode forming layer 22 of the substrate 20. The second electrode group 26 is formed inside the second electrode forming region 22a, which is a square region that overlaps with the operating region 11a in top view. The second electrode group 26 is composed of a plurality of second electrodes 26a. As shown in FIG. 4B, the second electrode 26a is a substantially rectangular electrode extending along the second direction. The plurality of second electrodes 26a are arranged side by side at equal intervals along the first direction. In the present embodiment, the second electrode 26a of the second electrode group 26 is used as a driving electrode, and an electric signal for driving is applied to the second electrode 26a. In order to apply this driving electric signal, a power supply wiring 286 is provided on the Y1-Y2 direction (second direction) Y1 side of the antenna 28 of the antenna forming layer 24, which will be described later. A through hole TH for connecting the second electrode 26a and the power supply wiring 286 is provided on the Y1-Y2 direction (second direction) Y1 side of the ground electrode 27 of the ground electrode forming layer 23 described later (FIG. 5). (A).).

The first electrode 25a of the first electrode group 25 and the second electrode 26a of the second electrode group 26 are arranged so as to intersect each other in a top view. The first electrode 25a and the second electrode 26a form a capacitance in the vicinity of the positions where they intersect with each other. Then, the electric signal for driving applied to the first electrode 25a is transmitted from the first electrode 25a to the second electrode 26a by the capacitance between the first electrode 25a and the second electrode 26a. The touch pad 1 detects a change in capacitance between the first electrode 25a and the second electrode 26a based on the change in the electrical signal transmitted from the first electrode 25a to the second electrode 26a in this way. You can do it.

A ground electrode 27 is formed on the ground electrode forming layer 23 of the substrate 20. The ground electrode 27 is formed inside the ground electrode forming region 23a, which is a square region that overlaps the entire area of the first electrode forming region 21a and the second electrode forming region 22a when viewed from above.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the ground electrode 27 is formed by adding slits (first slit 27a1 and second slit 27a2) to a square electrode covering the entire area of the ground electrode forming region 23a. The shape formed by the slit has a plurality of comb tooth shapes arranged in the Y1-Y2 direction (second direction). The ground electrode 27 according to the present embodiment has two comb tooth shapes (first comb tooth shape 27c1 and second comb tooth shape 27c2), and Y1 of the first comb tooth shape 27c1 and the second comb tooth shape 27c2. The first slit 27a1 is located between the −Y2 directions (second direction).

Each of the two comb tooth shapes (first comb tooth shape 27c1 and second comb tooth shape 27c2) has a base portion 27t extending in the X1-X2 direction (first direction) in the Y1-Y2 direction (second direction). ) Has a shape in which a plurality of tooth portions 27s extend. The second slit 27a2 is located between the adjacent tooth portions 27s of the first comb tooth shape 27c1 and the second comb tooth shape 27c2. In each of the two comb tooth shapes (first comb tooth shape 27c1 and second comb tooth shape 27c2), the plurality of tooth portions 27s extend in the Y1-Y2 direction Y1 side and the Y1-Y2 direction Y2 side, respectively. It has the shape of both comb teeth. The first comb tooth shape 27c1 and the second comb tooth shape 27c2 are connected by a connecting portion 27c at the end on the X2 side in the X1-X2 direction.

An electrode pattern serving as an antenna 28 for wireless communication is formed on the antenna forming layer 24 of the substrate 20. Hereinafter, the electrode pattern that serves as the antenna 28 for wireless communication is abbreviated as the antenna 28. The antenna 28 is formed inside an antenna forming region 24a, which is a square region overlapping the first electrode forming region 21a and the second electrode forming region 22a in a top view.

As shown in FIG. 5 (b), the antenna 28 is a coil wound around a substantially rectangular outer circumference that shares a center with the antenna forming region 24a and extends in the X1-X2 direction and the Y1-Y2 direction. It has a spiral coil) shape. The two ends of the antenna 28 are terminal portions 28a connected to the circuit. As described above, the outer shape of the antenna 28 when viewed from above is a rectangular shape having sides along the X1-X2 direction (first direction), so that the two comb-tooth shapes (first comb-tooth) of the ground electrode 27 are formed. The portion of the shape 27c1 and the second comb tooth shape 27c2) that overlaps with the base portion 27t increases, and the influence of noise from the antenna 28 on the first electrode group 25 can be reduced more stably. This point will be described later separately.

The left side region and the right side region of the antenna forming region 24a of the antenna forming layer 24 are circuit forming regions 24b in which a predetermined circuit is formed. Various electronic components (not shown) are mounted in the circuit formation region 24b, and a detection circuit 30 for detecting the position of an operating body in contact with or close to the operation surface 11, a communication circuit 40 for wireless communication, and the like are provided. It is formed. The signal detection wiring 285 and the power supply wiring 286 formed on the antenna forming layer 24 are wirings that connect the first electrode 25a and the second electrode 26a to the detection circuit 30. These wirings are arranged so that the portion connected to the first electrode 25a and the second electrode 26a is located inside the antenna forming region 24a, but the other portions are located outside the antenna forming region 24a as much as possible. Will be done.

The detection circuit 30 is connected to the first electrode group 25 and the second electrode group 26 described above via electrodes for wiring (not shown) or the like. The detection circuit 30 applies a driving electric signal to the first electrode 25a of the first electrode group 25, detects an electric signal transmitted to the second electrode 26a of the second electrode group 26, and detects the first electrode 25a. The change in capacitance between the first electrode 25a and the second electrode 26a is detected based on the change in the electric signal transmitted from the second electrode 26a. Then, the detection circuit 30 detects the position of the operating body in contact with or close to the operating surface 11 of the touch pad 1 based on the change in capacitance detected by the first electrode group 25 and the second electrode group 26. doing. Since the circuit configuration of the detection circuit 30 and the like are known, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The communication circuit 40 is a communication circuit corresponding to a standard for short-range wireless communication. The communication circuit 40 is connected to the terminal portion 28a of the antenna 28 via an electrode for wiring (not shown). Then, in the communication circuit 40, an electric signal for wireless communication is applied to the terminal portion 28a of the antenna 28. Since the circuit configuration of such a communication circuit 40 is known, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The substrate 20 has the configuration as described above. Then, the operation plate 10 is attached to the upper side of the substrate 20 with an adhesive or the like. As a result, the operation surface 11 having the predetermined operation area 11a is set on the upper side of the substrate 20.

Hereinafter, the noise reduction mechanism in the touch pad 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram showing the function of the ground electrode 27 included in the touchpad 1 shown in FIG. 1 in relation to the first electrode group 25, and FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram showing the touch shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the function of the ground electrode 27 provided with the pad 1 in relation to the 2nd electrode group 26. In FIG. 6, from the viewpoint of avoiding complexity, the display of reference numerals is omitted for some elements (first electrode 25a, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 6A, the closed loop electrical path formed by the capacitance coupling between the plurality of first electrodes 25a constituting the first electrode group 25 and the ground electrode 27 is with respect to the antenna 28. It preferentially passes through the base portion 27t of the first comb tooth shape 27c1 and the base portion 27t of the second comb tooth shape 27c2, which have a large overlap. Therefore, among the first electrode group 25, the electrical path of the closed loop CL1 passing through the first electrode 25a on the Y2 side in the Y1-Y2 direction is the first comb tooth shape 27c1 located near the first electrode 25a. It passes through the base 27t. Therefore, the closed loop CL1 has a rectangular shape having a short length in the Y1-Y2 direction. Further, in the first electrode group 25, the electrical path of the closed loop CL2 passing through the third first electrode 25a from the end on the Y2 side in the Y1-Y2 direction to the Y1 side is also located near the first electrode 25a. Since the closed loop CL2 passes through the base portion 27t of the first comb tooth shape 27c1, the closed loop CL2 has a rectangular shape having a short length in the Y1-Y2 direction. The electrical paths of the closed loops CL3 and CL4 passing through the first electrode 25a overlapping the second comb tooth shape 27c2 preferentially pass through the base portion 27t of the second comb tooth shape 27c2. Therefore, the closed loops CL3 and CL4 have a rectangular shape having a short length in the Y1-Y2 direction, similarly to the closed loops CL1 and CL2.

As described above, the closed loop formed by the capacitance coupling between the first electrode group 25 and the ground electrode 27 has an electrical path of the base 27t of the first comb tooth shape 27c1 and the base 27t of the second comb tooth shape 27c2. Because it passes preferentially, it does not form a closed loop with a large top view area. Since the first slit 27a1 is located between the first comb tooth shape 27c1 and the second comb tooth shape 27c2, both the base portion 27t of the first comb tooth shape 27c1 and the base portion 27t of the second comb tooth shape 27c2. No closed loop is formed through.

As described above, even if the first electrode group 25 and the ground electrode 27 are capacitively coupled, a closed loop having a large area is not formed in the top view, so that strong noise due to the magnetic field from the antenna 28 is generated. It is unlikely to occur in one electrode group 25.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, in the touch pad 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the comb tooth shape of the ground electrode 27 overlaps the comb tooth shape of the second electrode group 26 in the top view. It is arranged like this. That is, in the ground electrode 27, the plurality of second slits 27a2 are located so as to correspond between the electrodes of the plurality of second electrodes 26a. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6B, the end of the second electrode 26a located at the end of the X1-X2 direction (first direction) X1 side in the Y1-Y2 direction (second direction) Y2 side. In the above, even when the ground electrode 27 and the capacitance coupling ESC occur, the ground electrode 27 has the second slit 27a2 extending in the Y1-Y2 direction (second direction), so that the ground electrode 27 has a second slit 27a2. On the Y2 side in the Y1-Y2 direction of 27, the electrical path does not extend to the X1 side in the X1-X2 direction. Therefore, a closed loop having a large area that includes the antenna 28 in top view is not formed.

The closed-loop electrical path formed by the capacitance coupling between the second electrode group 26 and the ground electrode 27 also has a large overlap with the antenna 28 at the base 27t of the first comb tooth shape 27c1 and the second comb tooth shape 27c2. It preferentially passes through the base 27t. Further, the first slit 27a1 is located between the first comb tooth shape 27c1 and the second comb tooth shape 27c2. Therefore, even when the electrical path passing through the base portion 27t of the first comb tooth shape 27c1 and the base portion 27t of the second comb tooth shape 27c2 includes the first electrode group 25 and the capacitance coupling to form a closed loop. As shown in FIG. 6B, only closed loops CL5 and CL6 having a small area that partially overlaps the antenna 28 are formed in the top view.

In this way, even if the second electrode group 26 and the ground electrode 27 are capacitively coupled, a closed loop having a large area in top view is not formed, so that strong noise due to the magnetic field from the antenna 28 is generated by the second electrode. It is unlikely to occur in group 26.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, when the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, the same reference numerals are given and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the touch pad 101 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the ground electrode forming layer 23 of the substrate 120 shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the wiring forming layer 29 of the substrate 120 shown in FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 7, the touch pad 101 has the same structure as the touch pad 1 according to the first embodiment, but the substrate 120 corresponding to the substrate 20 of the touch pad 1 is provided on the substrate 20. It has a wiring forming layer 29 that has not been formed. As shown in FIG. 8B, the signal detection wiring 285 and the power supply wiring 296 corresponding to the signal detection wiring 285 and the power supply wiring 286 of the touch pad 100 are formed on the wiring formation layer 29. As shown in FIG. 8A, in order to connect the signal detection wiring 295 and the first electrode 25a and to connect the power supply wiring 296 and the second electrode 26a, the ground electrode forming layer 23 A through hole TH is provided.

In the touch pad 1, most of the signal detection wiring 285 and the power supply wiring 286 are located outside the antenna formation region 24a of the antenna formation layer 24. On the other hand, in the touch pad 101, the power supply wiring 296 is in the X1-X2 direction (X1-X2 direction) inside the square region 29a of the wiring forming layer 29 that overlaps the entire area of the first electrode forming region 21a and the second electrode forming region 22a. (First direction) It is provided so as to extend from the X2 side to the X1 side. Specifically, in the touch pad 101, the power supply wiring 296 is arranged so as to overlap the first slit 27a1 as shown in FIG. 8A in the top view, and is further shown in FIG. 8B. The antenna 28 is arranged so as to cross the X1-X2 direction (first direction). From the viewpoint of facilitating understanding, in FIG. 8B, the antenna 28 formed on the antenna forming layer 24 is shown by a dotted line.

By arranging the power supply wiring 296 in this way, the second electrode group 26 and the power supply wiring 296 electrically connected to the second electrode group 26 and the ground electrode 27 are electrically connected to each other in a closed loop. The path easily passes through the base portion 27t of the ground electrode 27 provided so as to have a portion overlapping a part of the antenna 28 in the top view and the power supply wiring 296 arranged so as to cross the antenna 28. Therefore, in the touch pad 101, it is difficult to form a closed loop that is larger than the area of the antenna 28 when viewed from above.

As described above, in the touch pad 101 according to the second embodiment, even if the second electrode group 26, the power supply wiring 296, and the ground electrode 27 are capacitively coupled, the area of the closed loop formed in the top view is large. Since it is particularly small, noise caused by the magnetic field from the antenna 28 is particularly unlikely to be generated in the second electrode group 26.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be appropriately modified as long as the scope of the object of the present invention is not deviated.

For example, in the embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device to which the touch pad 1 (or the touch pad 101) is attached may be a device other than a notebook computer. For example, the touch pad 1 (or touch pad 101) may be used as an input device for a game machine, an in-vehicle navigation device, or the like.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the touch pad 1 (or the touch pad 101) may include a member other than the above-mentioned member. For example, the touch pad 1 (or the touch pad 101) may include a support member for swingably supporting itself on the electronic device. A push switch or the like for detecting the swinging motion of the touch pad 1 (or the touch pad 101) may be attached to the lower surface of the substrate 20 (or the substrate 120). Further, the touch pad 1 (or the touch pad 101) may have a mounting structure for mounting itself on the housing of the electronic device 50.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the operation region 11a may have a shape other than that described above. For example, the operation area 11a may be rectangular. When the operation area 11a is a rectangle such as a square, the corner portion may be arcuate. Further, the operating region 11a may be a circular or elliptical region as long as the position of the operating body in contact with or close to the operating surface 11 can be detected with a predetermined accuracy.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the substrate 20 (or the substrate 120) does not have the circuit forming region 24b, and the touch pad 1 (or the touch pad 101) includes the detection circuit 30 and the communication circuit 40. It doesn't have to be. The first electrode group 25 and the second electrode group 26 may be connected to, for example, a detection circuit or a communication circuit formed on the main body side of the electronic device 50 via wiring or the like.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode 25a of the first electrode group 25 and the second electrode 26a of the second electrode group 26 may have a shape other than a rectangle. For example, the first electrode 25a may be an electrode in which a plurality of diamond-shaped electrodes connected to each other are arranged side by side along the first direction. Further, the second electrode 26a may be an electrode in which a plurality of diamond-shaped electrodes connected to each other are arranged side by side along the second direction.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode 25a of the first electrode group 25 is used as a detection electrode, and the second electrode 26a of the second electrode group 26 is used as a drive electrode, but the second electrode 26a is detected. It may be used as an electrode and the first electrode 25a may be used as a driving electrode. Further, depending on the detection timing, the first electrode 25a is used as the driving electrode and the second electrode 26a is used as the detection electrode, and the second electrode 26a is used as the driving electrode and the first electrode 25a is used as the detection electrode. You may switch between the state of use and the state of use alternately. Further, the touch pad 1 (or touch pad 101) includes an electrode serving as a detection electrode in addition to the first electrode 25a and the second electrode 26a, and both the first electrode 25a and the second electrode 26a are used as driving electrodes. It doesn't matter.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the antenna 28 may have a shape other than that described above. For example, the antenna 28 may have a portion extending along a direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction as long as a predetermined communication function can be realized. Even in this case, the base 27t of each of the plurality of comb tooth shapes (first comb tooth shape 27c1 and second comb tooth shape 27c2) of the ground electrode 27 is arranged so as to overlap a part of the antenna 28 in a top view. It suffices if it is done.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the antenna 28 may be formed on a sheet-like member separate from the substrate 20 (or the substrate 120) and then arranged under the substrate 20 (or the substrate 120). I do not care. Further, on the lower side of the antenna 28, a magnetic sheet for suppressing the influence of a magnetic field on the main body of the electronic device 50, a support plate for supporting the touch pad 1 (or the touch pad 101) from below, and the like are arranged. It doesn't matter if it is done.

Further, in the present embodiment, all of the power supply wiring 296 of the touch pad 101 is formed in the wiring forming layer 29, but the present invention is not limited to this. If a part of the wiring group of the power supply wiring 296 is extended to the wiring forming layer 29 in the X1-X2 direction (first direction) and is formed so as to cross at least a part of the antenna 28 in a top view. It is possible to suppress an increase in the area of the closed loop formed by the capacitance coupling in the top view.

Further, in the touch pad 101, the signal detection wiring 295 arranged so as not to cross the antenna 28 in the top view may be formed on the antenna forming layer 24 like the touch pad 1.

1,101 Touch pad 10 Operation plate 11 Operation surface 11a Operation area 20, 120 Substrate 21 First electrode forming layer 21a First electrode forming area 22 Second electrode forming layer 22a Second electrode forming area 23 Grounding electrode forming layer 23a Grounding electrode Forming area 24 Antenna forming layer 24a Antenna forming area 24b Circuit forming area 25 1st electrode group 25a 1st electrode 285,295 Signal detection wiring 26 2nd electrode group 26a 2nd electrode 286,296 Power supply wiring 27 Ground electrode 27a1 1st Slit 27a2 2nd slit 27c Connecting part 27c1 1st comb tooth shape 27c2 2nd comb tooth shape 27s Tooth part 27t Base TH through hole 28 Antenna 28a Terminal part 29 Wiring forming layer 29a Area in wiring forming layer 30 Detection circuit 40 Communication circuit 50 Electronic equipment 51 Housing ESC Capacitive coupling CL1, CL2, CL3, CL4, CL5, CL6 Closed loop

Claims (5)

A substrate having an operation surface having a predetermined operation area set on the upper side,
A group of capacitance detection electrodes arranged in a region corresponding to the operation region of the substrate, and
An antenna for wireless communication, which is located on the lower side of the substrate and overlaps with the electrode forming region on which the capacitance detection electrode group is formed when viewed from above.
A ground electrode made of a conductive material, which is arranged below the capacitance detection electrode group and above the antenna so as to overlap the entire area of the electrode forming region in a top view.
It is a touch pad with an antenna equipped with
The capacitance detection electrode group is
A group of first electrodes extending along a predetermined first direction,
A second electrode group extending along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction,
Have,
The ground electrode has a plurality of comb tooth shapes formed by slits and arranged in the second direction.
Each of the plurality of comb tooth shapes of the ground electrode has a shape in which the tooth portion extends in the second direction from the base portion extending in the first direction.
Each of the bases of the plurality of comb teeth of the ground electrode is arranged so as to overlap a part of the antenna in a top view.
A touch pad with an antenna, wherein a portion of the slit of the ground electrode that forms the tooth portion having a plurality of comb teeth is located between the electrodes of the second electrode group. The touch pad with an antenna according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of comb tooth shapes of the ground electrode are both comb tooth shapes. The touch pad with an antenna according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer shape of the antenna in a top view is a rectangular shape having a side along the first direction. The claim that at least a part of the power supply wiring for supplying power to the second electrode group extends as a wiring group in the first direction and is arranged so as to cross at least a part of the antenna in a top view. The touch pad with an antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The touch pad with an antenna according to claim 4, wherein the wiring group is arranged so as to be located between the ground electrode and the antenna in the vertical direction.

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