Sensor Module

Abstract

The present invention provides a sensor module which can prevent radio waves from detouring to the rear when a wireless radar sensor is used as a proximity sensor, and improves the stability of the wireless radar sensor when installed in an information processing device and the robustness of the wireless radar sensor. The sensor module comprises: a sensor module body (31) having a wireless radar sensor function arranged on a rectangular substrate; and a metal shell (41) having a rectangular box shape having an opening (42) formed on one side in the thickness direction and a notch opening (43) formed on the side for leading out a cable (21) connected to the sensor module body. The opening is closed by inserting a component arranged on the surface of the substrate from the opening toward the bottom (44) on the inner side of the substrate, the notch opening having a cable inserted in at least a portion thereof, and the notch opening is formed symmetrically with respect to a plane Sc passing through the center C of the metal shell and perpendicular to the plane of the notch opening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor module that can prevent radio waves from detouring to the rear and improve the stability of mounting to an information processing device and the robustness of the wireless radar sensor when using the wireless radar sensor as a proximity sensor. Background Art

[0002] Information processing devices such as PCs (Personal Computers) are equipped with proximity sensors (PS) that detect the approach of a user. As proximity sensors, for example, infrared (IR) sensors are used. Users can start the information processing device simply by approaching it without touching it. In addition, the information processing device is equipped with an authentication processing unit to perform facial image recognition on an image taken by a camera when confirming the person. This reduces the number of operations involved in starting the device.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a terminal processing device that displays an operation screen for terminal processing, detects a person in front of a display unit, and displays an operation screen based on the detected person. The terminal device performs a predetermined terminal process based on a received input operation while displaying the operation screen.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-255922

[0005] However, as a proximity sensor for detecting the approach of a person who intends to use an information processing device, facial image recognition using a shooting camera places a large processing load on the information processing device main body. In addition, when using an infrared or other optical sensor, the detection range is narrow. Therefore, it is considered to use a wireless radar sensor with a small processing load and a wide detection range as a proximity sensor.

[0006] Since the wireless radar sensor needs to irradiate radio waves only to the information processing device, especially the front side of the display unit, for example, it is necessary to shield the rear and sides of the wireless radar sensor substrate in order to prevent the radio waves from bypassing the rear or side of the display unit. The wireless radar sensor can be shielded by metal foil or the like, but if shielding is performed by metal foil or the like, the mounting of the wireless radar sensor substrate to the information processing device becomes unstable and the robustness against external stress is reduced. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention is completed in view of the above, and its purpose is to provide a sensor module that can prevent radio waves from detouring to the rear when using a wireless radar sensor as a proximity sensor, and improve the stability of installation on an information processing device and the robustness of the wireless radar sensor.

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the purpose, the sensor module involved in the first mode of the present invention comprises: a sensor module body, which is provided with a wireless radar sensor function on a rectangular substrate; and a metal shell, which is a rectangular box-shaped body having an opening portion formed with one side opening in the thickness direction and a notch opening formed on the side for leading out a cable connected to the above-mentioned sensor module body, and the above-mentioned opening portion is closed by inserting the above-mentioned substrate through the above-mentioned opening portion with a component arranged on the surface of the above-mentioned substrate toward the bottom inside, and the above-mentioned notch opening is inserted into the above-mentioned cable in at least a part of it, and the above-mentioned notch opening is formed symmetrically with respect to a plane passing through the center of the above-mentioned metal shell and perpendicular to the plane of the above-mentioned notch opening.

[0009] Furthermore, the substrate has a structure in which an insulating region is formed around the entire periphery.

[0010] In addition, the sensor module involved in the second embodiment comprises: a sensor module main body, in which a wireless radar sensor function is arranged on a rectangular substrate; and a metal shell, which is a rectangular box-shaped shell having an opening portion formed on one side in the thickness direction and a notch opening formed on the side for leading out a cable connected to the above-mentioned sensor module main body. The above-mentioned opening portion is closed by inserting the above-mentioned substrate through the above-mentioned opening portion through which a component arranged on the surface of the above-mentioned substrate is inserted toward the inside. The above-mentioned substrate is a structure in which an insulating area is formed around the entire periphery.

[0011] In the sensor module according to the above aspect, the notch opening may be formed so as to form a notch from the opening portion on one side surface in the short-side direction and include not both ends in the long-side direction of the metal casing but the center in the long-side direction.

[0012] In addition, a plurality of the notch openings may be formed so that a notch is formed on one side surface in the short-side direction from the opening portion side and the notch openings do not include both end portions in the long-side direction and the center of the metal shell.

[0013] In addition, in the above-mentioned sensor module body, spacers can be provided on the side surfaces of both ends in the long side direction, the above-mentioned spacers are in contact with the bottom of the above-mentioned metal shell and make the above-mentioned substrate and the above-mentioned metal shell electrically conductive, the elastic deformation amount of the above-mentioned spacer in the short side direction is greater than the elastic deformation amount in the long side direction, and in the above-mentioned sensor module body, a resistance component for wireless frequency adjustment is arranged on the inner side of the above-mentioned spacer in the long side direction.

[0014] According to the above aspect of the present invention, when a wireless radar sensor is used as a proximity sensor, it is possible to prevent radio waves from detouring to the rear, thereby improving the stability of mounting to an information processing device and the robustness of the wireless radar sensor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an information processing device equipped with a sensor module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the structure of a module unit.

[0017] Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing the structure of the sensor module.

[0018] Figure 4 It is a perspective view showing the structure of a sensor module main body constituting the sensor module.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a top view of the sensor module as viewed from the +X direction.

[0020] Figure 6 It is a diagram showing the structure of a modified example 1 of the sensor module.

[0021] Figure 7 It is a diagram showing the structure of a second modification of the sensor module.

[0022] Description of Reference Numerals

[0023] 10…information processing device; 12…hinge device; 14…display frame; 14a…lower end; 16…main frame; 16a…rear end; 18…display device; 18a…display surface; 19…outer ring component; 20…module unit; 21, 21a, 21b…cable; 24…cover component; 26…keyboard device; 27…touch pad; 30…sensor module; 31…sensor module body; 32…control chip; 33…spacer; 34…resistance component; 41…metal casing; 42…opening; 43, 43a, 43b, 53a, 53b…notch opening; 44…bottom; C, C1…center; E1, E2…area; E10…insulating area; Sa…surface; Sb…inside; Sc, Sd…surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Hereinafter, the sensor module according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings by listing preferred embodiments.

[0025] <Sensor module installation position>

[0026] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view showing an information processing device 10 equipped with a sensor module 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1The information processing device 10 is shown in a state where the display housing 14 is opened from the main housing 16 by the hinge device 12 and the information processing device 10 is used as a notebook PC.

[0027] The information processing device 10 is a so-called convertible PC configured to be able to open and close the display housing 14 from a 0-degree position closed relative to the main housing 16 to a 360-degree position after being reversed. Therefore, the information processing device 10 can be appropriately used as a notebook PC in a state where the display housing 14 is rotated to an angle position of about 90 degrees relative to the main housing 16 (see Figure 1 ) In this embodiment, in addition to such a convertible PC, it can also be applied to, for example, a desktop PC in which the display housing 14 and the main body housing 16 are separated.

[0028] The following, such as Figure 1 As shown, the display frame 14 is opened from the main frame 16 to about 90 degrees to become a notebook PC usage mode as a reference, and the hinge device 12 side of the display frame 14 is called the lower side (lower end), and the opposite side is called the upper side (upper end) for description. In addition, the hinge device 12 side of the main frame 16 is called the rear side (rear end), and the opposite side is called the front side (front end), and the width direction (short side direction) of the display frame 14 and the main frame 16 is called the left side and the right side for description. In addition, for the display frame 14, the +Z direction of the right-hand coordinate system is the upper side, the +Y direction is the right side, and the display surface 18a is parallel to the YZ plane.

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, the information processing device 10 is configured by rotatably connecting a lower end portion 14 a of a display housing 14 and a rear end portion 16 a of a main body housing 16 via a pair of left and right hinge devices 12 .

[0030] The display housing 14 has a display device 18 disposed inside thereof. The display housing 14 is formed into a flat plate-shaped box body thinner than the main housing 16 by overlapping and connecting an outer ring member 19 and a cover member 24 .

[0031] The display device 18 is constituted by, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal display device. The display device 18 is covered with a metal or a conductive film except for a display surface 18a.

[0032] The outer ring member 19 is a frame-shaped member made of resin. The outer ring member 19 surrounds and holds the peripheral edge of the display device 18. The cover member 24 is a structure in which a wall portion rising from the outer ring member 19 is provided on the peripheral edge of a plate-shaped member made of resin. The cover member 24 covers the side and back of the display frame 14. The display frame 14 is connected to the main housing 16 via the hinge device 12 fixed to the cover member 24 by screw connection. The display frame 14 is electrically connected to the main frame 16 by a cable (not shown) passing through the hinge device 12.

[0033] The main frame 16 is a box body formed in a flat plate shape, and a keyboard device 26 and a touch pad 27 are provided on its inner surface. The main frame 16 accommodates various electronic components such as a substrate, a computing device, and a memory, which are not shown in the figure. The keyboard device 26 may be, for example, a soft keyboard that displays a virtual keyboard on a touch panel type liquid crystal display device.

[0034] A module unit 20 formed by connecting various module cables including a sensor module 30 is arranged at the upper end of the display frame 14. The various modules are antennas for various wireless communications such as wireless LAN and wireless WAN of the information processing device 10. The sensor module 30 is a proximity sensor that detects a person approaching the front side of the information processing device 10, and is a wireless radar sensor. The sensor module 30 transmits and receives radio waves only on the front side of the information processing device 10. The antennas in the sensor module 30 are arranged in an array, and the directivity of the radio waves is electrically synthesized for scanning. That is, the sensor module 30 is a sensor using UWB (UltraWide Band) radar.

[0035] <Module unit>

[0036] Figure 2 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the module unit 20. The module unit 20 is connected to the sensor module 30 and a plurality of various modules via a cable 21 such as an FPC cable.

[0037] <Sensor module>

[0038] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of the sensor module 30. In addition, Figure 4 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of a sensor module main body 31 constituting the sensor module 30. Figure 5 It is a plan view of the sensor module 30 as viewed from the +X direction.

[0039] like Figure 3 to Figure 5As shown, the sensor module 30 has a sensor module body 31 and a metal shell 41. The sensor module body 31 is configured with a wireless radar sensor function on a rectangular long side substrate. The sensor module body 31 is a printed circuit substrate that is long in the long side direction (Y direction), short in the short side direction (Z direction), and multilayered in the thickness direction (X direction). Various components are configured on the surface Sa of the sensor module body 31 in the -X direction, for example, a control chip 32 is configured in the center in the long side direction. In addition, an array antenna is formed in areas E1 and E2 in the multilayered printed circuit substrate. The direction of the radio wave scanned and irradiated from the array antenna is the X direction side.

[0040] The metal shell 41 is a rectangular box-shaped body having an opening 42 formed on one side in the thickness direction (X direction) and a notch opening 43 formed on one side in the short side direction (-Z direction) for leading out the cable 21 connected to the sensor module body 31, and is formed of, for example, aluminum.

[0041] The sensor module body 31 is inserted from the opening 42 with the bottom 44 (toward the -X direction) facing the inner side of the surface Sa, and the sensor module 30 is formed by being closed by the back side Sb (+X direction) of the sensor module body 31 through the opening 42. The sensor module body 31 and the metal shell 41 are fixed by an adhesive. That is, the contact part of the side surface of the sensor module body 31 and the metal shell 41 is bonded. In addition, the YX cross-sectional shape of the outer side of the sensor module body 31 and the YZ cross-sectional shape of the inner side of the metal shell 41 are the same shape.

[0042] Here, the shape of the notch opening 43 is symmetrical with respect to the plane Sc passing through the center C of the metal shell 41 and perpendicular to the plane of the notch opening 43. The notch opening 43 is formed so as to be notched from the opening 42 side and not include both ends in the long-side direction of the metal shell 41, but include the plane Sc, which is the center in the long-side direction. That is, in the notch opening 43, the distance from the center C1 on the plane Sc, which is the center in the long-side direction, to the end Y2 in the +Y direction is the same as the distance from the center C1 to the end Y1 in the -Y direction.

[0043] Thus, the shielding of the antenna connected to the control chip 32 disposed at the center C and formed in the area E1 and the antenna connected to the control chip 32 disposed at the center C and formed in the area E2 is symmetrical in the Y direction with respect to the center C, and the antenna characteristics of the antennas in the areas E1 and E2 can be made the same. As a result, the synthesis control of the antenna directivity becomes easy, and the proximity detection accuracy can be improved.

[0044] In addition, since the metal shell 41 shields the −X direction opposite to the irradiation direction of the radio wave (+X direction) and the four sides of the YZ plane except the notch opening 43, the detour of the radio wave can be prevented, and high-precision proximity detection can be performed.

[0045] In addition, if Figure 4 As shown, in the sensor module body 31, spacers 33 are provided on the surfaces Sa on both end sides in the long side direction. The spacers 33 are in contact with the bottom 44 of the metal shell 41, so that the long side substrate of the sensor module body 31 and the metal shell 41 are electrically connected. The long side surface of the chamfered trapezoidal column of the spacer 33 is connected to the surface Sa of the sensor module body 31, and the short side surface is in contact with the bottom 44 of the metal shell 41. Due to the material and shape, when the spacer 33 is subjected to external stress in the X direction, the elastic deformation amount in the short side direction (Z direction) is greater than the elastic deformation amount in the long side direction (Y direction). In addition, the spacer 33 is made of an elastic material such as resin, and a conductive material is coated around it.

[0046] Resistive components 34 for adjusting the radio frequency of the antenna are arranged on the inner side of the spacer 33 in the long side direction. The purpose of adjusting the radio frequency is to set the transmission frequency in a common frequency band in which the frequency use of each country is not prohibited. As described above, since the spacer 33 is easily elastically deformed and crushed in the short side direction, but is not easily crushed in the long side direction, the resistive components 34 will not be crushed by the spacer 33 when external stress is applied, and the robustness can be improved. In addition, since the resistive components 34 can be arranged on the long side substrate close to the spacer 33, the sensor module body 31 and the sensor module 30 can be made compact.

[0047] In addition, various components are arranged on the surface Sa of the sensor module body 31, but since the surface Sa is covered by the metal shell 41, the various components can be reliably protected, and even if external stress is applied, since it is protected by the metal shell 41, a highly robust sensor module 30 can be realized.

[0048] In addition, an insulating region E10 is formed around the entire periphery of the sensor module body 31. Thus, an insulating gap is formed between the conductive pattern of the long side substrate of the sensor module body 31 and the metal shell 41, and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) countermeasure is implemented. In addition, by separating the antenna pattern in the regions E1 and E2 from the metal shell 41, the influence of the metal shell 41 can be suppressed, and only the impedance characteristics of the antenna pattern can be maintained.

[0049] In the sensor module 30 described above, the bottom 44 of the metal housing 41 is attached to the cover member 24 by means of a conductive adhesive or the like. At this time, the cover member 24 may be plated with a metal film by sputtering or the like. A conductive double-sided tape may be used to connect the sensor module 30 and the cover member 24. In addition, a rib for clamping the sensor module 30 may be formed on the cover member 24 side.

[0050] In this embodiment, since connectors such as connecting screws are not required, miniaturization can be further promoted.

[0051] In addition, the sensor module 30 is located on the upper side of the display housing 14, but may be located on the lower side of the display housing 14. Since the sensor module 30 detects the approach to the information processing device 10, it only needs to be arranged within a predetermined width in the left-right direction from the left-right center line of the display housing 14 and the main housing 16, for example, within 60 mm in the left-right direction.

[0052] The notch opening 43 may be the entire side surface in the −Z direction of the metal casing 41. Thus, the shielding of the metal casing 41 is symmetrical in the Y direction with respect to the plane Sc, and the antenna characteristics of the antennas in the regions E1 and E2 can be made the same.

[0053] Furthermore, when the sensor module 30 continues to detect the approach of a person, the information processing device 10 does not enter the sleep state even when no operation is performed on the information processing device 10 , and locks the display on the display surface 18 a when the sensor module 30 does not detect the approach of a person.

[0054] <Variation 1>

[0055] Figure 6 1 is a diagram showing the structure of a modified example 1 of the sensor module 30. Figure 6 As shown, in this modification example 1, two notch openings 43a and 43b can be formed to replace one notch opening 43. The notch opening 43a is the lead-out opening of the cable 21, and the notch opening 43b is a virtual opening used to make the antenna characteristics of each antenna in the areas E1 and E2 the same. The lengths of the notch openings 43a and 43b in the long side direction between the ends Y1 and Y3 and between the ends Y4 and Y2 are the same. In addition, the shapes of the notch openings 43a and 43b are symmetrical in the long side direction relative to the surface Sc. Moreover, the notch openings 43a and 43b of this modification example form notches from the side of the opening 42, and are formed in a plurality in a manner that does not include the two ends in the long side direction of the metal shell 41 and the surface Sc of the center C. Thus, even in this modification example 1, the antenna characteristics of the antennas in the areas E1 and E2 can be made the same.

[0056] also, Figure 2The notch opening 43 shown is a single notch opening that matches the lead-out position of the cable 21 . However, when the lead-out position of the cable 21 is, for example, on the side of the center C, the length of the notch opening 43 in the longitudinal direction becomes shorter.

[0057] <Variation 2>

[0058] Figure 7 2 is a diagram showing the structure of a second modification of the sensor module 30. Figure 7 As shown, in this modification example 2, notch openings 53a and 53b are formed at both ends in the long side direction. Each notch opening 53a and 53b leads out two cables 21a and 21b corresponding to the cable 21. In addition, the notch openings 53a and 53b are formed in a shape symmetrical to the surface Sc. Thus, even in this modification example 2, the antenna characteristics of the antennas in each area E1 and E2 can be made the same. In addition, this modification example 2 can be applied to an information processing device that can lead out the cables 21a and 21b in the long side direction, such as a desktop PC.

[0059] Furthermore, the notch openings 53 a and 53 b may have a shape that is symmetrical with respect to a plane Sd that passes through the center C of the metal case 41 and is perpendicular to the plane of the notch openings 53 a and 53 b . Figure 7 The notch openings 53a and 53b shown are symmetrical with respect to the plane Sc and the plane Sd. In the second modification, two notch openings 53a and 53b are formed, but only one notch opening 53a and 53b may be formed at any end in the longitudinal direction.

[0060] The notched openings 43, 43a, 43b, 53a, 53b described above are notched from the opening 42 side and are notched to the bottom 44, but the notch depth is not limited to this and may be notched to the lead-out position of the cables 21, 21a, 21b.

[0061] In addition, the structures illustrated in the above-mentioned embodiments and modified examples are schematic structures of functions, and do not necessarily need to be physically illustrated. That is, the manner of dispersing / unifying the various devices and components is not limited to the illustrated structures, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically dispersed / unified in arbitrary units according to various usage conditions.

Claims

1. A sensor module, characterized in that: have: The sensor module body has a wireless radar sensor function configured on a rectangular substrate; and The metal shell is a rectangular box-shaped body, has an opening formed on one side in the thickness direction, and has a notch opening formed on the side for leading out a cable connected to the sensor module body, and the opening is closed by inserting the component arranged on the surface of the substrate toward the bottom of the inner side from the opening of the substrate. The notch opening is provided at least in part for insertion of the cable, The notch opening is formed symmetrically with respect to a plane passing through the center of the metal shell and perpendicular to a plane of the notch opening. In the sensor module body, spacers are provided on the side surfaces of both ends in the longitudinal direction, the spacers are in contact with the bottom of the metal shell and make electrical conduction between the substrate and the metal shell. The elastic deformation amount of the above-mentioned spacer in the short side direction is greater than the elastic deformation amount in the long side direction. In the sensor module body, a resistance member for adjusting a radio frequency is arranged inside the spacer in the longitudinal direction.

2. The sensor module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The substrate has an insulating region formed around the entire periphery.

3. The sensor module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The notch opening is formed so as to form a notch from the opening portion side on one side surface in the short-side direction and not include both end portions in the long-side direction of the metal shell but include the center in the long-side direction.

4. The sensor module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of notch openings are formed so as to form a notch on one side surface in the short-side direction from the opening portion side and not include both end portions in the long-side direction and the center of the metal shell.

5. A sensor module, characterized in that: have: The sensor module body has a wireless radar sensor function configured on a rectangular substrate; and The metal shell is a rectangular box-shaped body, has an opening formed on one side in the thickness direction, and has a notch opening formed on the side for leading out a cable connected to the sensor module body, and the opening is closed by inserting the component arranged on the surface of the substrate from the opening toward the inside. The substrate has an insulating region formed around the entire periphery. In the sensor module body, spacers are provided on the side surfaces of both ends in the longitudinal direction, the spacers are in contact with the bottom of the metal shell and make electrical conduction between the substrate and the metal shell. The elastic deformation amount of the above-mentioned spacer in the short side direction is greater than the elastic deformation amount in the long side direction. In the sensor module body, a resistance member for adjusting a radio frequency is arranged inside the spacer in the longitudinal direction.

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