Tactile presentation panel, tactile presentation touch panel, tactile presentation touch display, and tactile presentation knob

Abstract

The object of the present invention is to provide a tactile presentation panel, a tactile presentation touch panel, a tactile presentation touch display, and a tactile presentation knob that can provide a user with an appropriate sense of touch. The tactile presentation panel involved in the present invention comprises: a tactile presentation voltage generation circuit (113) that generates a voltage signal having a first frequency applied to at least one first electrode (102a) located in at least a part of the area of ​​the operation surface of the tactile presentation panel, and generates a voltage signal having a second frequency different from the first frequency applied to at least one second electrode (102b) located in at least a part of the area of ​​the operation surface of the tactile presentation panel; a charge discharge portion (115) connected to the tactile electrode to discharge the charge accumulated in the conductive elastic portion (6); and a touch detection circuit (210) that detects that the user touches the tactile presentation knob (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tactile presentation panel that presents tactile sensation to a user via a tactile presentation knob, a tactile presentation touch panel having a tactile presentation panel and a touch panel, a tactile presentation touch display having a tactile presentation touch panel and a display panel, and a tactile presentation knob. Background Art

[0002] Touch panels are widely known as devices that detect and output the position indicated by a user's finger or a pointer such as a pen on a touch screen (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "touch position"). As a touch panel using an electrostatic capacitance method, there is a projected capacitive touch panel (PCAP: Projected Capacitive Touch Panel). PCAP can detect the touch position even when the user side of the touch screen (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "front side") is covered with a protective plate such as a glass plate with a thickness of several mm. In addition, PCAP has advantages such as excellent firmness due to the ability to configure a protective plate on the front side and long life due to the lack of a movable part.

[0003] The touch screen of the PCAP has a row-direction wiring layer for detecting the coordinates of the touch position in the row direction and a column-direction wiring layer for detecting the coordinates of the touch position in the column direction. In the following description, the row-direction wiring layer for detection and the column-direction wiring layer for detection are sometimes collectively referred to as "wiring layers for detection".

[0004] In addition, a component provided with a detection wiring layer is called a “touch screen”, and a device connected to a detection circuit is called a “touch panel.” Furthermore, an area in a touch screen where a touch position can be detected is called a “detectable area.”

[0005] As a detection wiring layer for detecting electrostatic capacitance (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "capacitance"), a first series of conductor elements formed on a thin dielectric film and a second series of conductor elements formed on the first series of conductor elements via an insulating film are provided. There is no electrical contact between the conductor elements, and when viewed from the normal direction of the surface side, one of the first series of conductor elements and the second series of conductor elements overlaps with the other in a plan view, but there is no electrical contact between the two and they are three-dimensionally crossed.

[0006] The coordinates of the touch position of the indicator are determined by detecting the capacitance formed between the indicator and the conductor element as the detection wiring (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "touch capacitance") by the detection circuit. In addition, the touch positions between the conductor elements can be interpolated by the relative values ​​of the detection capacitances of one or more conductor elements.

[0007] In recent years, touch panels as operating panels including switches, etc. have been used in many machines around us instead of mechanical switches. However, unlike mechanical switches, touch panels do not have uneven surfaces and a uniform feel, so the surface shape will not be deformed by operation. Therefore, all operation processes from confirming the position of the switch to executing and completing the operation must rely on vision. When the operation is performed in parallel with other operations such as operating the sound during driving of the car, there are problems in the reliability of blind operation and the operability of the blind.

[0008] For example, in vehicle-mounted equipment, touch panels are widely used from the perspective of design, so it is difficult to operate the vehicle-mounted equipment by blind touch during driving. From the perspective of ensuring safety, touch panels with functions that can be operated by blind touch have attracted attention. In addition, in civilian equipment, touch panels are used as operation panels in many home appliances and electronic equipment. Furthermore, from the perspective of design, the number of machines equipped with PCAPs whose surfaces are protected by cover glass has also increased. However, since the surface of the touch panel is smooth, the position of the switch cannot be confirmed by feel, and general design response becomes difficult, which has become a problem. In the case of PCAP, the glass surface is required to be smooth as a design feature, and general design response such as processing concave and convex on the glass surface corresponding to the switch position is difficult.

[0009] As a countermeasure, there is a method of using sound to notify that an operation has been accepted and completed, but due to privacy and noise issues, the environment in which the sound function can be used is limited, and the same function and versatility as mechanical switches have not yet been achieved. If there is a function to present the position of the switch on the touch panel and a function to give the user feedback on the acceptance and completion of the operation through tactile sensation, it will be possible to achieve operation under blind touch and universal design response.

[0010] In order to assist the reliability of operation and the operability independent of vision, cellular phones and smart phones are sometimes equipped with a tactile feedback function using vibration. It is expected that the feedback function using vibration linked to the user's operation will soon appear around us, and the demand for higher-performance tactile feedback is also high.

[0011] The ways of generating tactile sensation are roughly divided into three: vibration, ultrasonic and electrical. The vibration method is characterized by being able to coexist with PCAP and being low-cost, but it is not suitable to embed the vibrator into the frame in a way that makes the entire device vibrate fully, and it cannot be applied to a large area due to the output limit of the vibrator. The ultrasonic method can produce tactile sensations such as slippery feeling that cannot be produced by other methods, but for the same reasons as the vibration method, it is not suitable for embedding into the frame, and it cannot be applied to a large area, which is a disadvantage. Among the electrical methods, there are electrostatic friction methods that generate tactile sensations through electrostatic friction and electrical stimulation methods that directly provide electrical stimulation to the fingers. They can generate tactile sensations at any position, and can achieve large-area and multi-touch response.

[0012] This method is described below. In addition, hereinafter, a component in which a tactile electrode is arranged on a transparent insulating substrate is referred to as a "tactile presentation screen", and a device in which a detection circuit is connected to the tactile presentation screen is referred to as a "tactile presentation panel". In addition, an area in the tactile presentation screen that can present tactile sensations is referred to as a "tactile presentation capable area".

[0013] Regarding the tactile output device for the rotary knob, for example, in patent document 1, the tactile output device has an electrode, a dielectric material disposed on the electrode, and a controller for inputting a signal to the electrode. The dielectric material has a micro-patterned concave and convex portion on the surface contacted by the user. When the controller inputs a signal to the electrode, the convex portion of the micro-patterned dielectric material is charged, generating an electrostatic force between the convex portion and the rotary knob, which can provide a sense of touch to the user.

[0014] Prior art literature

[0015] Patent Literature

[0016] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-168104 Summary of the invention

[0017] In Patent Document 1, a rotary knob is provided on a tactile output device that virtually presents tactile stimulation by applying a voltage to the skin that contacts between the electrodes via electrodes, and the friction and adhesion between the tactile output device and the rotary knob are controlled to provide the rotary knob with a tactile sensation indicating an operation feeling or an operation amount. The electric charge generated in the rotary knob due to the electrostatic force generated between the electrodes of the tactile output device to which the voltage is applied and the rotary knob is accumulated in the rotary knob, and the friction and adhesion between the tactile output device and the rotary knob do not change, and the tactile intensity is reduced. In addition, when the electric charge is accumulated in the rotary knob, a discharge phenomenon occurs between the electrode and the rotary knob, and the insulating layer disposed on the electrode and in contact with the rotary knob is sometimes damaged.

[0018] In this way, when the tactile sensation is presented to the rotary knob on the tactile sensation presentation panel of the electrostatic friction method, electric charges are easily accumulated on the conductive elastic part of the rotary knob which is arranged on the surface in contact with the insulating layer (dielectric layer) arranged on the tactile electrode arranged on the surface of the tactile sensation presentation panel, and forms a capacitor with the tactile electrode. When electric charges are accumulated on the conductive elastic part of the rotary knob, the intensity of the tactile sensation given to the user becomes weak, and there is a problem that the user cannot be given an appropriate tactile sensation.

[0019] The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a tactile presenting panel, a tactile presenting touch panel, a tactile presenting touch display, and a tactile presenting knob capable of imparting an appropriate tactile sense to a user.

[0020] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the tactile presentation panel of the present invention carries a tactile presentation knob having multiple conductive elastic parts on an operating surface, and presents tactile sensation to a user via the tactile presentation knob, wherein the panel comprises: a tactile electrode, including multiple first electrodes and multiple second electrodes arranged on the operating surface side of the tactile presentation panel; a dielectric layer, covering the tactile electrodes and having one side as the operating surface; a voltage generating circuit, generating a voltage signal having a first frequency applied to at least one first electrode located in at least a part of the operating surface of the tactile presentation panel, and generating a voltage signal having a second frequency different from the first frequency applied to at least one second electrode located in at least a part of the operating surface of the tactile presentation panel; a charge discharge unit, connected to the tactile electrode, discharging the charge accumulated in the conductive elastic part; and a contact detection unit, detecting that the user has touched the tactile presentation knob.

[0021] According to the present invention, the tactile presentation panel comprises: a voltage generating circuit, which generates a voltage signal having a first frequency applied to at least one first electrode located in at least a portion of an area on an operating surface of the tactile presentation panel, and generates a voltage signal having a second frequency different from the first frequency applied to at least one second electrode located in at least a portion of an area on the operating surface of the tactile presentation panel; a charge discharge portion, which is connected to the tactile electrode and discharges the charge accumulated in the conductive elastic portion; and a contact detection portion, which detects when a user touches the tactile presentation knob, so that an appropriate tactile sensation can be imparted to the user.

[0022] The objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the structure of a tactile sense presenting touch display according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 It is schematically shown Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the structure of a tactile display showing touch.

[0025] Figure 3 It is used to illustrate Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an electrostatic capacitor formed between a tactile electrode of a tactile presentation panel and a tactile presentation knob.

[0026] Figure 4 It is used to illustrate Figure 2 A three-dimensional diagram of an electrostatic capacitor formed between a tactile electrode and a tactile presentation knob of a tactile presentation panel.

[0027] Figure 5 It shows Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a graph showing an example of a voltage signal of a first frequency applied to a first electrode.

[0028] Figure 6 It shows Figure 2 FIG. 4 is a graph showing an example of a voltage signal of a second frequency applied to a second electrode of FIG.

[0029] Figure 7 It is shown that by combining Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 A graph of amplitude modulated signals generated by various voltage signals.

[0030] Figure 8 It is shown Figure 2 A top view of an example of a touch screen.

[0031] Fig. 9 It is along Figure 8 Partial cross-sectional view along line A1-A1 and line A2-A2.

[0032] Fig.10 It is shown Figure 2 A top view of an example of a touch screen.

[0033] Fig.11 It is along Fig.10 Partial cross-sectional view along line B1-B1 and line B2-B2.

[0034] Fig.12 It is schematically shown Figure 2 A top view of the structure of the tactile rendering screen.

[0035] Fig.13 It is used to illustrate Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an electrostatic capacitance formed between a tactile electrode of a tactile presentation panel and an indicator.

[0036] Fig.14 It is used to illustrate Figure 2A schematic diagram of electrostatic capacitance formed between tactile electrodes and a tactile presentation knob when a tactile presentation panel has a tactile electrode pitch greater than a diameter of a tactile presentation knob.

[0037] Fig.15 It is used to illustrate Figure 2 A schematic diagram of electrostatic capacitance formed between tactile electrodes and a tactile presentation knob when a tactile presentation panel has a pitch of tactile electrodes that is smaller than a diameter of a tactile presentation knob.

[0038] Fig.16 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a rotating portion of the tactile sense presenting knob according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Fig.17 This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a fixing portion when the position where the tactile sense presenting knob is placed according to the first embodiment of the present invention is fixed to one location.

[0040] Fig.18 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the capacitance distribution of line CC when the touch screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention detects the position of the tactile sense presenting knob.

[0041] Fig.19 This is a schematic diagram showing the position of the edge portion of the conductive elastic portion according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Fig. 20 It is schematically shown Figure 1 A block diagram of the structure of a tactile presentation touch panel.

[0043] Fig.21 It is used to illustrate Figure 1 Schematic diagram of electrostatic capacitance formed in the tactile presentation touch panel when the indicator does not touch the tactile presentation knob in the tactile presentation touch panel.

[0044] Fig. 22 This diagram schematically shows the state when the indicator does not touch the tactile presentation knob. Figure 1 A timing diagram of the tactile presentation action timing of the touch panel.

[0045] Fig.23 It is used to illustrate Figure 1 Schematic diagram of electrostatic capacitance formed in a tactile presentation touch panel when an indicator contacts a tactile presentation knob in the tactile presentation touch panel.

[0046] Fig.24 The diagram schematically shows the situation when the indicator contacts the tactile presentation knob. Figure 1 A timing diagram of the tactile presentation action timing of the touch panel.

[0047] Fig.25It is used to illustrate Figure 1 A schematic diagram of electrostatic capacitance formed in a tactile presentation touch panel when the tactile presentation touch panel detects a touch position.

[0048] Fig.26 It is used to illustrate Figure 1 A schematic diagram of electrostatic capacitance formed in a tactile presentation touch panel when the tactile presentation touch panel generates tactile sensation.

[0049] Fig. 27 This is an image diagram schematically showing the movement of electric charge accumulated in the conductive elastic portion when the tactile sense presenting knob is connected to the ground via the indicator body when the signal voltage is applied according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Fig.28 This is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of the tactile sense presenting touch panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention when a portion of the tactile sense electrodes that the tactile sense presenting knob contacts are grounded via a dielectric layer when a signal voltage is applied.

[0051] Fig.29 This is an image diagram of a case where the tactile sense presenting knob according to the second embodiment of the present invention is used on a tactile sense presenting touch panel in which the tactile sense presenting knob is inclined or vertically arranged.

[0052] Fig.30 This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a rotating portion when the tactile sense presenting knob according to the second embodiment of the present invention is used on a tactile sense presenting touch panel in which the tactile sense presenting knob is inclined or vertically arranged.

[0053] Fig.31 This is a schematic diagram of a fixing portion when the tactile sense presenting knob according to the second embodiment of the present invention is used on a tactile sense presenting touch panel in which the tactile sense presenting knob is inclined or vertically installed.

[0054] Fig.32 This is a schematic diagram of a fixing base when the tactile sense presenting knob according to the second embodiment of the present invention is used on a tactile sense presenting touch panel in which the tactile sense presenting knob is inclined or vertically installed.

[0055] Fig.33 This is a schematic diagram of a rotating portion when the position where the tactile sense presentation knob is placed is changed and operated according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] Fig.34 This is a schematic diagram of a fixing portion when the position where the tactile sense presentation knob is placed is changed and operated according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] Fig.35 It is a plan view schematically showing the structure of a segmented tactile sense presenting panel according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] Fig.36 This is a plan view schematically showing an example of the shape of tactile electrodes of a tactile presentation panel having a segmented structure according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Fig.37 This is a plan view schematically showing an example of the shape of tactile electrodes of a tactile presentation panel having a segmented structure according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] (Explanation of symbols)

[0061] 1: tactile display; 3: tactile knob; 4: rotating part; 5: fixing part; 6: conductive elastic part; 6a: outer diameter; 7: position detection part; 8: gap; 9: fixing hole; 10: rotating part side; 11: indicating position line; 12: rotating part upper surface; 13: fixing table; 14: shaft; 15: bottom part; 16: boundary conductive part; 17: bonding part; 20a, 20b: adhesive; 40: switch; 100: tactile panel; 101: transparent insulating substrate; 102: tactile electrode; 102a: first electrode; 102b: second electrode; 106: dielectric layer; 107: tactile panel terminal; 108: FPC; 110: voltage supply circuit; 113: tactile Presentation voltage generating circuit; 113a: 1st voltage generating circuit; 113b: 2nd voltage generating circuit; 114: tactile presentation control circuit; 115: charge discharge unit; 150: tactile presentation screen; 200: touch panel; 201: substrate; 202: excitation electrode; 203: detection electrode; 204: interlayer insulating film; 205: insulating film; 206: row direction wiring layer; 207: column direction wiring layer; 208: touch screen terminal unit; 209: shielding wiring layer; 210: touch detection circuit; 212: charge detection circuit; 213: touch detection control circuit; 214: touch coordinate calculation circuit; 215: excitation pulse generating circuit; 300: display panel; 400: tactile presentation touch panel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0063] <Implementation Method 1>

[0064] <Haptic Presentation Touch Display>

[0065] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the structure of a tactile presentation device that places a tactile presentation knob 3 on a tactile presentation touch display 1 in the first embodiment to present a tactile sense of operation and an amount of operation. Figure 2 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of the tactile sense presenting touch display 1 .

[0066] The tactile presentation touch display 1 has a tactile presentation touch panel 400 and a display panel 300 on which the tactile presentation touch panel 400 is mounted. The tactile presentation touch panel 400 has a tactile presentation panel 100 and a touch panel 200. The tactile presentation panel 100 has a tactile presentation screen 150 and a voltage supply circuit 110. The touch panel 200 has a touch screen 250 and a touch detection circuit 210.

[0067] In the first embodiment, the tactile screen 150 is arranged on the side (front side) facing the user of the tactile display 1, and is fixed to the side (front side) facing the user of the touch screen 250 by the adhesive material 10b. The touch screen 250 is fixed to the side (front side) facing the user of the display panel 300 by the adhesive material 20a.

[0068] The tactile display screen 150 includes a transparent insulating substrate 101, a tactile electrode 102, and a dielectric layer 106. The tactile electrode 102 includes a plurality of first electrodes 102a and a plurality of second electrodes 102b that are alternately arranged at intervals on the transparent insulating substrate 101. The dielectric layer 106 covers the plurality of first electrodes 102a and the plurality of second electrodes 102b. The tactile display screen 150 is electrically connected to a voltage supply circuit 110 via an FPC (Flexible Print Circuit) 108.

[0069] The touch screen 250 has a transparent and insulating substrate 201, an excitation electrode 202, a detection electrode 203, an interlayer insulating layer 204, and an insulating layer 205. The touch screen 250 is electrically connected to the touch detection circuit 210 via the FPC 108. The touch detection circuit 210 detects the touched position on the transparent insulating substrate 101 of the tactile presentation screen 150. Thus, on the transparent insulating substrate 101, not only tactile presentation but also touch position detection can be performed. The touch detection circuit 210 has, for example, an IC (Integrated Circuit) for detecting changes in electrostatic capacitance caused by touch and a microcomputer. The detailed structure of the touch screen 250 will be described later with a specific example.

[0070] The display panel 300 has two opposing transparent insulating substrates and a display function layer sandwiched therebetween and having a display function. The display panel 300 is typically a liquid crystal panel. The display panel 300 may also be an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) panel or an electronic paper panel. The touch panel 200 is typically a PCAP.

[0071] <Overview of Tactile Presentation Panel>

[0072] Figure 3 It is used to schematically explain the electrostatic capacitance C formed between the tactile electrode 102 of the tactile presentation panel 100 and the tactile presentation knob 3. NE . Figure 4 yes Figure 3 When the tactile presentation knob 3 contacts the contact surface CT which is a part of the surface side of the tactile presentation screen 150, an electrostatic capacitor C is formed between the tactile presentation knob 3 on the contact surface CT and the tactile electrode 102 via the dielectric layer 106. NE In addition, in these figures, in order to make the drawings easier to understand, only the voltage supply circuit 110 (see Figure 2 ) is a tactile presentation voltage generating circuit 113, and other structures included in the voltage supply circuit 110 are not shown. A more specific structure of the voltage supply circuit 110 will be described later.

[0073] The tactile sense presentation voltage generation circuit 113 included in the voltage supply circuit 110 includes a first voltage generation circuit 113a and a second voltage generation circuit 113b. The first voltage generation circuit 113a applies a voltage signal V to the first electrode 102a located on at least a portion of the transparent insulating substrate 101 among the plurality of first electrodes 102a. a In the first embodiment, a voltage signal V is applied to all first electrodes 102a located on at least a portion of the transparent insulating substrate 101. a The second voltage generating circuit 113b applies a voltage signal V to the second electrode 102b located on at least a portion of the transparent insulating substrate 101 among the plurality of second electrodes 102b. b In the first embodiment, a voltage signal V is applied to all the second electrodes 102b located on at least a portion of the transparent insulating substrate 101. b .

[0074] Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 They are respectively showing the voltage signal V a And the voltage signal V b The voltage signal V of the first voltage generating circuit 113a is a The voltage signal V of the second voltage generating circuit 113b has a first frequency. b The voltage signal V a The amplitude and voltage signal V b The amplitude can be the same as the amplitude V L .exist Figure 5 , 6 In the example, as the voltage signal V a And the voltage signal Vb , using sine waves of different frequencies. Alternatively, pulse waves or waveforms having other shapes may be used instead of sine waves. In order to generate a sufficiently large tactile sensation, the amplitude V L It is preferably about several tens of V.

[0075] Figure 7 is shown by combining the voltage signal V a (Refer to Figure 5 ) and the voltage signal V b (Refer to Figure 6 ) and the amplitude modulated signal V N A voltage signal V is applied to the first electrode 102a. a , and applying a voltage signal V to the second electrode 102b b As a result, the electrostatic capacitance C between the first electrode 102a and the second electrode 102b and the tactile sense presentation knob 3 is formed. NE (Refer to Figure 4 ) area, repeatedly performing the operation according to the amplitude V L Roughly 2 times the maximum amplitude V H The amplitude modulation signal V N As a result, a vibration with the maximum amplitude V is applied to the tactile sense presentation knob 3 which is connected across the first electrode 102a and the second electrode 102b via the dielectric layer 106. H The amplitude modulation signal V N The corresponding electrostatic force. Amplitude modulation signal V N There is a beat frequency corresponding to the difference between the first frequency and the second frequency. Therefore, when the tactile presentation knob 3 is rotated on the tactile presentation screen 150, the friction force acting on the tactile presentation knob 3 changes at the beat frequency. As a result, the tactile presentation knob 3 vibrates at the beat frequency. The user perceives the vibration of the tactile presentation knob 3 as a tactile sensation obtained from the tactile presentation screen 150. As described above, the tactile presentation screen 150 of the tactile presentation panel 100 is configured to change the friction force applied to the tactile presentation knob 3 by controlling the electrostatic force applied to the tactile presentation knob 3, thereby generating a tactile sensation.

[0076] As described above, a voltage signal V is generated relative to the input a (Refer to Figure 5 ) and the voltage signal V b (Refer to Figure 6 ) each having an amplitude modulation signal V with a voltage approximately twice that of N Thus, it is possible to pass a voltage signal V having a voltage approximately half of that a (Refer to Figure 5 ) and the voltage signal V b (Refer to Figure 6), generating the amplitude modulation signal V required to make the desired friction force act on the tactile presentation knob 3 N Therefore, compared with the case where the amplitude modulation signal is directly input to the first electrode 102a and the second electrode 102b, an equivalent electrostatic force can be generated with 1 / 2 of the voltage, and low-voltage driving can be performed.

[0077] In order to present a sufficiently large tactile sensation to the user, the maximum amplitude V H It can be large enough, compared with the amplitude V L can be a small value. Therefore, the amplitude V L It does not need to be so large as to generate a sufficiently large tactile sensation by itself. L As a result, in a state where only one of the first electrode 102a and the second electrode 102b contacts the tactile sense presentation knob 3, no matter how the voltage signal V is selected a And the voltage signal V b The frequency is so high that the user can hardly feel the touch.

[0078] In order to facilitate the installation of the tactile presentation knob 3 so as to straddle the first electrode 102a and the second electrode 102b, it is preferable that the pitch P of the tactile electrodes 102 is E Smaller than the diameter R of the contact surface CT NE The details will be described later.

[0079] <Touch Panel>

[0080] Figure 8 is shown as a touch screen 250 (refer to Figure 2 ) is an example of an overhead view of a capacitive touch screen 250a. Fig. 9 It is along Figure 8 Partial cross-sectional view along line A1-A1 and line A2-A2.

[0081] The touch screen 250a includes a plurality of row-direction wiring layers 206 and a plurality of column-direction wiring layers 207. The row-direction wiring layers 206 are each electrically connected to a plurality of excitation electrodes 202 (see Figure 2 ) is composed of a plurality of detection electrodes 203 (see Figure 2 ) Figure 8 as well as Fig. 9 In the figure, such fine structures are ignored, and the row-direction wiring layer 206 and the column-direction wiring layer 207 are shown. Figure 2 ) is composed of a single-layer film or a multi-layer film of a metal or a multi-layer structure including any of these films and further using other conductive materials. As the metal, for example, aluminum or silver and other low-resistance examples are preferred. The detection electrode 203 (see Figure 2 ) is the same. By using metal as a wiring material, the wiring resistance can be reduced. On the other hand, metal wiring is easy to be visually identified due to its opacity. In order to reduce visual recognition and increase the transmittance of the touch screen, the metal wiring can be given a fine line structure. The fine line structure is typically a mesh.

[0082] The row-direction wiring layers 206 each extend along the row direction (the x direction in the figure), and the column-direction wiring layers 207 each extend along the column direction (the y direction in the figure). A plurality of row-direction wiring layers 206 are arranged at intervals in the column direction, and a plurality of column-direction wiring layers 207 are arranged at intervals in the row direction. Figure 8 As shown, in a plan view, each row-direction wiring layer 206 intersects with a plurality of column-direction wiring layers 207, and each column-direction wiring layer 207 intersects with a plurality of row-direction wiring layers 206. The row-direction wiring layers 206 and the column-direction wiring layers 207 are insulated by an interlayer insulating layer 204.

[0083] The interlayer insulating layer 204 is composed of a single layer of an organic insulating film, a single layer of an inorganic insulating film, or a multilayer film. In order to improve moisture resistance, an inorganic insulating film is excellent, and in order to improve flatness, an organic insulating film is excellent. As the inorganic insulating film, for example, a transparent silicon-based inorganic insulating film such as a silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film, a silicon oxynitride film, or a transparent inorganic insulating film composed of a metal oxide such as aluminum oxide is used. As the material of the organic insulating film, a polymer material having a main chain composed of silicon oxide, silicon nitride film, or silicon oxynitride film and having an organic substance bonded to its side chain or functional group, or a thermosetting resin having a main chain composed of carbon can be used. As the thermosetting resin, for example, acrylic resin, polyimide resin, epoxy resin, phenolic resin, or olefin resin can be cited.

[0084] The row-direction wiring layers 206 of the touch screen 250a are connected to the touch screen terminal portion 208 through the extraction wiring layers R(1) to R(m). The column-direction wiring layers 207 are connected to the touch screen terminal portion 208 through the extraction wiring layers C(1) to C(n). The touch screen terminal portion 208 is provided at the end of the substrate 201.

[0085] The extracted wiring layers R(1) to R(m) are arranged outside the detectable area, and extend to the corresponding electrodes in a manner that can obtain approximately the shortest distance from the layer close to the center of the arrangement of the touch screen terminal portion 208. The extracted wiring layers R(1) to R(m) ensure mutual insulation and are arranged as densely as possible. The same applies to the extracted wiring layers C(1) to C(n). By setting it to such a configuration, the area of ​​the portion outside the detectable area in the substrate 201 can be suppressed.

[0086] A shield wiring layer 209 may be provided between the group of extracted wiring layers R(1) to R(m) and the group of extracted wiring layers C(1) to C(n). This can suppress the generation of noise in the other group due to the influence of one group. In addition, the noise generated by the display panel 300 (see FIG. 1 ) can be reduced. Figure 2 The shield wiring layer 209 may be formed at the same time as the row-direction wiring layer 206 or the column-direction wiring layer 207 using the same material.

[0087] The insulating layer 205 is provided on the substrate 201 so that the touch screen terminal portion 208 is exposed, and covers the row direction wiring layer 206, the column direction wiring layer 207, and the interlayer insulating layer 204. The insulating layer 205 can be formed of the same material as the interlayer insulating layer 204. In the case where the display panel 300 is a liquid crystal panel, an upper polarizing plate treated with anti-glare for the liquid crystal panel may be attached to the portion of the insulating layer 205 through which light is transmitted for display.

[0088] Fig.10 is shown as a touch screen 250 (refer to Figure 2 ) is an example of an overhead view of a capacitive touch screen 250b. Fig.11 It is along Fig.10 Partial cross-sectional view of line B1-B1 and line B2-B2. Fig.10 , 11 In the example, a so-called diamond structure is adopted.

[0089] The row-direction wiring layer 206 and the column-direction wiring layer 207 are arranged on the same layer. The column-direction wiring layer 207 has a plurality of diamond-shaped electrodes connected to each other as the detection electrode 203. The row-direction wiring layer 206 has a plurality of diamond-shaped electrodes separated from each other as the excitation electrode 202 and a bridge 206B that electrically connects the adjacent diamond-shaped electrodes. The interlayer insulating layer 204 is arranged in a manner to insulate the bridge 206B from the column-direction wiring layer 207. In addition, the bridge structure may be applied to the column-direction wiring layer instead of the row-direction wiring layer. Since the formation of the bridge tends to increase the resistance of the wiring layer, it is preferable to apply the bridge structure to the shorter side of the column-direction wiring layer and the row-direction wiring layer.

[0090] As the material of the row-direction wiring layer 206 and the column-direction wiring layer 207, for example, a transparent conductive film such as indium tin oxide (ITO) is used. Since ITO is light-transmissive, the possibility of the wiring layer being visually recognized by the user becomes low. Since transparent conductive films such as ITO have relatively high resistance, they are suitable for small touch screens where wiring resistance is not a problem. In addition, since transparent conductive films such as ITO are prone to disconnection due to corrosion between other metal wirings, moisture resistance and water resistance need to be considered in order to prevent corrosion.

[0091] In addition, the above description describes the case where the structure of the touch screen and the structure of the display panel are independent, but they can also be inseparable and integrated. For example, in the case of a so-called On-Cell (external) touch panel, the touch screen is directly formed on the substrate (typically a color filter substrate) of the display panel 300 without using the substrate 201. In the case of a so-called In-Cell (embedded) touch panel, the touch screen is formed between two transparent insulating substrates (not shown) of the display panel 300.

[0092] <Haptic Presentation Panel>

[0093] Fig.12 1 is a top view schematically showing the structure of the tactile presentation screen 150 . Fig.13 is an illustration of the electrostatic capacitance C between the tactile electrode 102 and the tactile presentation knob 3 NE Schematic diagram of the formation of .

[0094] As described above, the tactile presentation screen 150 includes a transparent insulating substrate 101, tactile electrodes 102, and a dielectric layer 106. Furthermore, a tactile presentation panel terminal portion 107 is provided at the end of the transparent insulating substrate 101, and a plurality of extraction wiring layers 105 are arranged on the transparent insulating substrate. The dielectric layer 106 is provided so that the tactile presentation panel terminal portion 107 is exposed. The tactile electrodes 102 are connected to the tactile presentation panel terminal portion 107 via the extraction wiring layer 105. The tactile presentation panel terminal portion 107 is connected to the FPC 108 (see FIG. 108 ). Figure 1 ) is connected to a voltage supply circuit 110 (refer to Figure 2 ) In addition, the details of extracting the wiring layer 105 will be described later.

[0095] The tactile electrodes 102 are each arranged along an extension direction ( Fig.12 The plurality of tactile electrodes 102 extend along the arrangement direction ( Fig.12 In the horizontal direction of the Fig.12In the example of FIG. 1 , the transparent insulating substrate 101 has a rectangular shape having long sides and short sides. Therefore, the tactile presentation screen 150 also has long sides and short sides corresponding to the transparent insulating substrate 101. Fig.12 In the example of FIG. 1 , the arrangement direction is along the long side. In the case where the horizontal direction of the tactile presentation screen 150 for the observer is along the long side, the arrangement direction is along the horizontal direction.

[0096] The electrostatic capacitance C formed between the tactile electrode 102 and the tactile presentation knob 3 NE The larger it is, the stronger the sense of touch can be presented. From this viewpoint, the area of ​​the tactile electrode 102 is preferably large. When the size of the area of ​​the tactile electrode 102 is prioritized, it is difficult to make the tactile electrode 102 difficult to visually identify by giving the tactile electrode 102 a fine structure. In order to increase the area of ​​the tactile electrode 102 and make the tactile electrode 102 difficult to visually identify, the tactile electrode 102 can be formed by a transparent conductive film. As a typical material for a transparent conductive film, there is ITO. Transparent conductive films such as ITO have a relatively high resistance compared to metals, so they are suitable for small touch screens where wiring resistance is not a problem. In the case of a large touch screen where wiring resistance is a problem, the ITO film thickness is thickened or the content of dopants is increased to reduce the resistivity. In this case, sometimes the light absorption rate of ITO changes and the touch screen looks colored, so sometimes it is necessary to adjust the color tone of the display. In addition, since transparent conductive films such as ITO are prone to disconnection due to corrosion between them and other metal wirings, when reducing wiring resistance of electrodes by stacking them with other metals, moisture resistance and water resistance must be considered to prevent corrosion.

[0097] Instead of using a transparent conductive film as described above, the tactile electrode 102 may be a single-layer film or a multi-layer film of a metal, or an electrode having a multi-layer structure including any of these films and also using other conductive materials (hereinafter also referred to as an "electrode containing a metal film"). As a metal, for example, a low-resistance example such as aluminum or silver is preferred. By using an electrode containing a metal film, the wiring resistance can be reduced. On the other hand, the metal film is easy to be visually identified because it is opaque. Therefore, in order to make the metal film difficult to visually identify, the electrode containing the metal film can be given a fine line structure. The fine line structure is typically mesh-shaped.

[0098] The dielectric layer 106 is composed of a single layer of an organic insulating film, a single layer of an inorganic insulating film, or a multilayer film. In the case of a multilayer film, different types of organic insulating films can be stacked, or different types of inorganic insulating films can be stacked, or organic insulating films and inorganic insulating films can be stacked. The inorganic insulating film has high moisture impermeability, high hardness, and high wear resistance. The tactile sensation on the dielectric layer 106 presents the rotation of the knob 3, so the dielectric layer 106 needs to have high wear resistance. Although organic insulating films are preferred in order to obtain high flatness, they have low hardness and low wear resistance. Therefore, in order to obtain both high flatness and high wear resistance, it is preferred to form an inorganic insulating film on the organic insulating film. As the inorganic insulating film, for example, a transparent silicon-based inorganic insulating film such as a silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film, a silicon oxynitride film, or a transparent inorganic insulating film composed of a metal oxide such as aluminum oxide is used. As the material of the organic insulating film, a polymer material having a main chain composed of silicon oxide, silicon nitride film or silicon oxynitride film and having an organic substance bonded to its side chain or functional group, or a thermosetting resin having a main chain composed of carbon can be used. Examples of the thermosetting resin include acrylic resin, polyimide resin, epoxy resin, phenolic resin, or olefin resin.

[0099] Electrostatic Capacitance C NE It is represented by the following formula (1).

[0100] C NE =Q / V=εS / d…(1)

[0101] Here, Q is the amount of charge accumulated in the conductive elastic part 6 and the tactile electrode 102, V is the voltage between the tactile presentation knob 3 and the tactile electrode 102, ε is the dielectric constant of the dielectric layer 106, S is the contact area between the conductive elastic part 6 and the tactile electrode 102 through the dielectric layer 106, and d is the thickness of the dielectric layer 106. Electrostatic capacitance C NE It is proportional to the dielectric constant ε and inversely proportional to the film thickness d.

[0102] According to the above formula (1), in order to increase the electrostatic capacitance C NE, preferably the dielectric constant ε is high. Specifically, it is preferred that the dielectric layer 106 includes a film having a relative dielectric constant of 10 or more (hereinafter also referred to as a "high dielectric constant insulating film"). In the high dielectric constant insulating film, a state in which positive and negative charges are displaced in the material by an electric field applied from the outside is generated (generally referred to as dielectric polarization). Regarding dielectric polarization, the charge generated by polarization (generally referred to as polarization charge) is maintained while the voltage is maintained, and the polarization charge decreases and the dielectric polarization decreases when the voltage is reduced, and the dielectric polarization also disappears when the applied voltage is made zero volts. The direction of dielectric polarization can be changed by an electric field. The high dielectric constant insulating film can be used as a single layer or as a multilayer film by stacking with other low dielectric constant inorganic insulating films or organic insulating films or other high dielectric constant insulating films. Generally speaking, the higher the dielectric constant, the higher the refractive index, so by stacking a high dielectric constant insulating film and a low dielectric constant insulating film, a stacked structure of a high refractive index film and a low refractive index film can be obtained. Due to this stacked structure, the dielectric layer 106 can also function as an antireflection film.

[0103] In addition, according to the above formula (1), in order to increase the electrostatic capacitance C NE The thickness d is preferably small. By stacking a high dielectric constant insulating film and an organic insulating film, sufficient insulation can be ensured and the thickness of the organic insulating film can be reduced. Thus, the thickness d of the dielectric layer 106 can be reduced.

[0104] When the tactile electrode is assumed to be a matrix structure (i.e., a structure having X electrodes and Y electrodes intersecting each other) (see, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-097076), steps, i.e., bumps and grooves, are generated at the intersections of the X electrodes and the Y electrodes. If the thickness of the insulating layer covering the bumps and grooves is large, the bumps and grooves are flattened, but in order to avoid the electrostatic capacitance C NE The thickness of the insulating layer has a limit if the surface of the tactile display screen is excessively reduced. Therefore, it is possible that unevenness will occur on the surface side of the tactile display screen. When the texture of the unevenness is mixed with the texture given by the electrostatic force from the tactile electrode, it is difficult to provide the intended texture to the user. When an organic insulating film with a flattening effect on the surface shape is used as the dielectric layer 106, the above-mentioned unevenness can be avoided, but a certain degree of thickness is required for flattening, so the electrostatic capacitance C cannot be avoided. NE of reduction.

[0105] In contrast, according to the first embodiment, the tactile electrode 102 has no intersection, so the size of the concavoconvex is suppressed to the thickness of the tactile electrode 102. As a result, it is possible to achieve thinning of an organic film having a planarizing effect or use of a high dielectric constant insulating film having a low planarizing effect. As a result, the electrostatic capacitance C NEIn addition, the contact surface of the tactile presentation screen 150 with the tactile presentation knob 3 has few bumps and depressions, so when no signal voltage is applied, the tactile presentation knob 3 is not provided with a tactile sense caused by the surface bumps and depressions, so the tactile sense of the tactile presentation knob 3 when the signal voltage is applied becomes clearer.

[0106] In addition, even if the electrostatic capacitance C NE Similarly, if the tactile presentation knob 3 is easy to slide on the dielectric layer 106, the change in the electrostatic force between the tactile presentation knob 3 and the tactile electrode 102 is easy to be perceived by the user as a change in friction force. As a result, a greater sense of touch can be provided to the user. In order to make the tactile presentation knob 3 easy to slide on the dielectric layer 106, it is necessary to suppress the close contact force between the dielectric layer 106 and the tactile presentation knob 3. For this purpose, for example, a film having higher water resistance than the inside of the dielectric layer 106 may be provided on the outermost surface of the dielectric layer 106 or on the contact surface of the conductive elastic part 6 with the dielectric layer 106 or on both sides thereof.

[0107] <Electrode spacing>

[0108] Fig.14 is a diagram illustrating the pitch P of the tactile electrodes 102 E Greater than the diameter R of the tactile presentation knob 3 FE In the case of NE Schematic diagram of . Fig.15 is a diagram illustrating the pitch P of the tactile electrodes 102 E Smaller than diameter R FE In the case of NE Schematic diagram of .

[0109] In the first embodiment, as described above, voltage signals V having different frequencies are applied to the adjacent first electrodes 102a and second electrodes 102b. a (Refer to Figure 5 ) and the voltage signal V b (Refer to Figure 6 ), generates an amplitude modulated signal V N (Refer to Figure 7 ) corresponding to the electrostatic force. Thus, the friction force between the dielectric layer 106 and the tactile presentation knob 3 and the amplitude modulation signal V N The beat frequency of changes accordingly, and the user perceives the change as a tactile sensation. Fig.14 In the state shown, the tactile sense of the knob 3 is presented with only a voltage signal V a The voltage signal V b No effect, so no amplitude modulation signal V is generated NOn the other hand, when the tactile sense presentation knob 3 is located above the boundary between the first electrode 102a and the second electrode 102b, a tactile sense is generated. Fig.14 In the structure, according to the position of the knob 3 presented by the tactile sense, there are positions where the tactile sense is generated and positions where the tactile sense is not generated. Fig.15 In the state shown, regardless of the position of the tactile presentation knob 3, the voltage signal V a And the voltage signal V b The two directions of tactile sensation present the effect of knob 3, thereby generating an amplitude modulation signal V N Therefore, in Fig.15 In the structure of , the tactile sense can be felt regardless of the position of the tactile sense presentation knob 3, and the position of the tactile sense presentation knob 3 can be set arbitrarily. That is, in order to easily set the tactile sense presentation knob 3 in a manner that straddles the first electrode 102a and the second electrode 102b, for example, as described later Fig.16 As shown, when the conductive elastic portion 6 is divided, it is preferred that the width 6b of the conductive elastic portion 6 is larger than the pitch P of the tactile electrodes 102. E In addition, when the conductive elastic portion 6 is not divided, it is preferable that the outer diameter 6a of the conductive elastic portion 6 is larger than the pitch P of the tactile electrodes 102. E .

[0110] <Structure of the tactile presentation knob>

[0111] Fig.16 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the rotating portion 4 of the tactile sense presentation knob 3 . Fig.17 The figure is a schematic diagram of the fixing part 5 when the rotating part 4 is placed on the contact surface of the tactile presentation panel 100 and rotated, in the case where the position of the tactile presentation knob 3 is fixed at one place. The rotating part 4 and the fixing part 5 are both made of metal such as aluminum, SUS, copper, and resin such as polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, ABS resin, AS resin, acrylic resin, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylidene chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, modified polyphenylene ether, polyamide, polybutylene terephthalate, polyacetal, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, polyarylate, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyamide-imide, polyetherimide, thermoplastic polyimide, polyphenylene sulfide, liquid crystal polymer, polyetheretherketone, fluororesin, etc. Since the operating feeling and tactile feeling change due to the weight of the tactile presentation knob 3, the material is selected according to the user's preference, the use environment and purpose of the tactile presentation knob 3, etc. The rotating part side surface 10 needs to be electrically connected to the conductive elastic part 6 and the indicator 2, so the rotating part side surface conductive part 10s and the boundary conductive part 16s of the rotating part side surface 10 that contact the indicator 2 are made of metal or conductive resin material (preferably with a resistance of 10 3 Ω or less).

[0112] The tactile presentation knob 3 is formed into a cylindrical shape that is the same as the shape of the shaft 14 and the shape of the hole of the fixing hole 9, and is a member that is integrated by inserting the shaft 14 of the fixing part 5 into the fixing hole 9 of the rotating part. As for the gap between the shaft 14 and the fixing hole 9, it is preferable that the gap is as narrow as possible within the range in which the rotating part 4 rotates smoothly. When the gap between the shaft 14 and the fixing hole 9 is narrow, the shaking of the rotating shaft when the tactile presentation knob 3 rotates is reduced, and the tactile feeling different from the tactile feeling that should be given to the tactile presentation knob 3, such as the shaking and vibration of the rotating part 4 caused by the shaking of the rotating shaft, is suppressed to be given to the indicator 2, and the tactile feeling given to the user becomes clearer. In order to make the rotating part 4 rotate smoothly, it is preferable that the surface of the shaft 14 and the surface of the inner surface of the fixing hole 9 have as few as possible irregularities, and the surface roughness Ra is preferably less than 0.5μm. The inner diameter dimension tolerance of the fixing hole 9 is preferably 0 to +0.5mm, and the outer diameter tolerance of the shaft 14 is preferably -0.0005mm.

[0113] The fixing part 5 is a part that becomes the rotation axis when the rotating part 4 rotates, and plays a role in ensuring parallelism by making the operation surface of the tactile presentation panel 100 and the conductive elastic part 6 contact the ground horizontally. Therefore, the bottom part 15 of the fixing part 5 is flat, the center of the shaft part 14 is orthogonal to the bottom part 15, and the contact surface of the conductive elastic part 6 with the tactile presentation panel 100 and the bottom part 15 are located on the same plane.

[0114] When the position of the tactile presentation knob 3 is changed during operation or for each operation, the bottom surface portion 15 may be bonded and fixed to the tactile presentation panel 100. In addition, when the position of the tactile presentation knob 3 is not changed during operation or for each operation (when the position of the tactile presentation knob 3 is fixed and used), the bottom surface portion 15 may be bonded and fixed to the tactile presentation panel 100 by the bonding portion 17.

[0115] The rotating part side conductive part 10s and the boundary conductive part 16s on the surface of the side surface 10 of the rotating part 4 that contacts the indicator 2 when the rotating part 4 is rotated are made of conductive materials and are also electrically connected to the conductive elastic part 6 and the position detection part 7. It is detected whether the user has touched the surface of the rotating part 4, and the accumulation of electric charge in the conductive elastic part 6 is suppressed. The rotating part side conductive part 10s and the boundary conductive part 16s are made of the same material as the conductive elastic part 6. In particular, a metal with low electrical resistance is preferably used. The rotating part side conductive part 10s and the boundary conductive part 16s may be formed by coating the rotating part 4 with a resin or the like and then by metal plating or the like. The details will be described later.

[0116] The conductive elastic part 6 is a conductor that forms an electrostatic capacitance with the tactile electrode 102. The conductive elastic part 6 is divided into two or more parts to prevent the tactile strength from being reduced. The effect will be described in detail later. The conductive elastic part 6 has an effect of suppressing the reduction of the tactile strength due to the reduction of the close contact. When the close contact between the conductive elastic part 6 and the surface of the tactile presentation panel is reduced due to the reduction of the flatness caused by the processing accuracy of the rotating part 4 and the fixing part 5, the assembly accuracy of the tactile presentation screen 150, the unevenness, the tiny unevenness on the surface of the tactile presentation panel 100, etc., the tactile electrode 102 and the conductive elastic part 6 form an electrostatic capacitance not only through the dielectric layer but also through the air with a small dielectric constant, and the electrostatic capacitance formed between the tactile electrode 102 and the conductive elastic part 6 is reduced, resulting in a reduction in the tactile strength. The conductive elastic part 6 has elasticity, and the gap between the dielectric layer and the conductive elastic part 6 caused by the unevenness can be buried, preventing the tactile strength from being reduced due to the reduction of the close contact. As the material used for the conductive elastic part 6, it is preferable to use a resin material having elasticity called conductive rubber which is made of CNR, CR rubber, NBR rubber, silicone, fluororubber, EPT rubber, SBR, butyl rubber, acrylic rubber or CSM rubber as a base material and mixed with conductive carbon black or metal powder or other conductive substances. The volume resistivity is 10 6 The lower the volume resistivity, the more difficult it is for charges to accumulate in the conductive elastic part 6. The details of charge accumulation in the conductive elastic part 6 will be described later. In addition, an electrostatic capacitor is formed with the tactile electrode 102, so when the withstand voltage characteristic is as high as possible, the life and reliability of the conductive elastic part 6 are improved, so it is preferred. The position detection part 7 forms an electrostatic capacitor with the detection electrode 203 of the touch screen 250, which is used to detect the position and rotation amount of the tactile presentation knob 3.

[0117] The material forming the position detection portion 7 is a conductor that can form an electrostatic capacitance with the detection electrode 203 and has elasticity similar to the conductive elastic portion 6, and may also be the same material as the conductive elastic portion 6. When the adhesion with the tactile presentation panel 100 is good, it is difficult to produce a difference between the design value and the actual electrostatic capacitance value, and stable position detection accuracy can be obtained.

[0118] By making the conductive elastic part 6 and the position detection part 7 of the same thickness and in close contact with the surface of the tactile presentation panel 100 without forming a gap, strong tactile strength and high-precision position detection can be obtained. The flatness of the surface where the conductive elastic part 6 and the position detection part 7 are in contact with the tactile presentation panel 100 (the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the measured value measured from a certain reference plane) is preferably 0.5 mm or less. In addition, regarding the diameter of the contact area of ​​a person's finger on the touch surface when operating the touch panel, it is 3 mm for children and 7 to 10 mm at most for adults. The contact area of ​​the finger in various touch operations is generally 20 to 1000 mm. 2 , so it can be considered that the area of ​​the position detection unit 7 is within the range of the area calculated based on these values.

[0119] <Detection of knob position and rotation amount>

[0120] Fig.18 Schematic diagram for explaining the capacitance distribution of line CC when the touch panel 200 detects the position of the tactile presentation knob 3. The tactile generation to the tactile presentation knob 3 and the position detection of the tactile presentation knob 3 are performed in a time division manner. During the period when the signal voltage is applied to the tactile electrode 102, the detection electrode 203 and the excitation electrode 202 are applied with a voltage of 0V or an arbitrary voltage is applied in a manner that forms an electrostatic capacitance with the tactile electrode 102 without causing a decrease in the voltage applied to the tactile electrode 102. When the detection electrode 203 detects the position, the tactile electrode 102 becomes a floating state, and the conductive elastic part 6 and the detection electrode 203 form an electrostatic capacitance via the tactile electrode 102, thereby detecting the change in the electrostatic capacitance of the excitation electrode 202 and the detection electrode 203, thereby detecting the position of the tactile presentation knob 3.

[0121] The detection electrode 203 forms capacitance with both the position detection part 7 and the conductive elastic part 6 to detect the capacitance. At this time, due to the gap 8, the capacitance distribution with the position detection part 7 and the capacitance distribution with the conductive elastic part 6 have peaks at different positions, and each position is detected separately.

[0122] Regarding the rotation amount of the tactile sense presenting knob 3, when there is one position detecting portion 7, the position detecting portion 7 is arranged directly below the indicated position line 11 indicating the indicated position of the knob, and the rotation amount is calculated based on the movement amount of the position detecting portion 7. The position detecting portion 7 may not necessarily be one. When there is an even number of position detecting portions 7, the indicated position of the tactile sense presenting knob 3 can be detected by simply making the area of ​​the position detecting portion 7 directly below the indicated position line 11 different from that of other position detecting portions 7. When there is an odd number of position detecting portions 7, if the operating range of the knob is less than 360 degrees, the indicated position and the rotation angle can be calculated based on the positional relationship of the position detecting portions 7. When the number of position detecting portions 7 is large, the area of ​​the conductive elastic portion 6 becomes small, so the number of position detecting portions is determined based on the balance with the tactile sense intensity.

[0123] <Distance between electrodes>

[0124] Fig.19 1 is a diagram showing an example of the positional relationship between the conductive elastic portion 6 and the position detection portion 7 in the tactile presentation knob 3. The distance between the conductive elastic portion 6 and the position detection portion 7 when the position detection portion 7 is arranged between the adjacent conductive elastic portions 6 is represented by a gap 8, and the distance between the conductive elastic portions 6 when the position detection portion 7 is not arranged between the adjacent conductive elastic portions 6 is represented by a gap 8a. In the case where the unevenness caused by the thickness of the electrode is on the surface of the tactile presentation panel 100, when the conductive elastic portion 6 contacts the tactile electrode 102 through the dielectric layer 106 and slides, the tactile presentation knob 3 vibrates due to the unevenness of the surface. This vibration is sensed by the indicator 2 regardless of the voltage signal applied to the tactile electrode 102. As a result, it may be difficult for the indicator 2 to feel the tactile sensation obtained by the voltage signal. In other words, the tactile intensity may be reduced.

[0125] Even if there are bumps and depressions on the surface of the tactile presentation panel 100, whether or not it is easily felt by the indicator 2 depends on the inter-electrode spacing of the tactile electrodes 102 as described later. The larger the allowable bumps and depressions, the less necessary it is to increase the thickness of the dielectric layer 106 to alleviate the bumps and depressions. In other words, the thickness of the dielectric layer 106 can be reduced. As a result, the capacitance formed between the conductive elastic portion 6 and the tactile electrode 102 can be increased. Therefore, a stronger tactile sensation can be generated. In addition, when the inter-electrode spacing of the tactile electrode 102 is wider than the gap 8 between the conductive elastic portion 6 and the position detection portion 7, the edge portion 18 of the conductive elastic portion 6 (see Fig.19) is stuck to the surface unevenness caused by the inter-electrode distance of the tactile electrode 102, which produces an unintended tactile sensation in the tactile presentation knob 3, so the inter-electrode distance of the tactile electrode 102 is preferably narrower than the gap 8. In addition, when the inter-electrode distance of the tactile electrode 102 is narrow, the exclusive area of ​​the tactile electrode 102 becomes larger, the electrostatic capacitance formed with the conductive elastic part 6 becomes larger, and the tactile intensity obtained also becomes larger, so it is preferred.

[0126] <Detailed Structure of Tactile Presentation Touch Panel>

[0127] Fig. 20 This is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of the tactile presentation touch panel 400. Here, it is assumed that excitation electrodes Ty(1) to Ty(m) are provided as a plurality of excitation electrodes 202, detection electrodes Tx(1) to Tx(n) are provided as a plurality of detection electrodes 203, and tactile electrodes H(1) to H(j) are provided as a plurality of tactile electrodes 102. The tactile electrodes H(1) to H(n) are arranged in order according to the numbers in the parentheses, and the odd-numbered tactile electrodes 102 correspond to the first electrode 102a, and the even-numbered tactile electrodes 102 correspond to the second electrode 102b. In addition, in order to simplify the description, it is assumed that one excitation electrode 202 constitutes one row-direction wiring layer 206 (see Figure 8 or Fig.10 ), and one detection electrode 203 constitutes one column-direction wiring layer 207 (refer to Figure 8 or Fig.10 ).

[0128] As described above, the tactile sense presenting touch panel 400 has the touch panel 200 and the tactile sense presenting panel 100. The touch panel 200 has the touch screen 250 and the touch detection circuit 210. The tactile sense presenting panel 100 has the tactile sense presenting screen 150 and the voltage supply circuit 110.

[0129] The touch detection circuit 210 includes an excitation pulse generating circuit 215, a charge detecting circuit 212, a touch coordinate calculating circuit 214, and a touch detection control circuit 213. The touch detection control circuit 213 controls the operation of the excitation pulse generating circuit 215, the charge detecting circuit 212, and the touch coordinate calculating circuit 214. The excitation pulse generating circuit 215 applies an excitation pulse signal to the excitation electrodes Ty(1) to Ty(m) in sequence. The charge detecting circuit 212 measures the signals obtained from each of the detecting electrodes Tx(1) to Tx(n). Thus, the charge detecting circuit 212 detects the charge amount of each of the detecting electrodes Tx(1) to Tx(n). Regarding the information on the charge detection result, k is set to an integer greater than 1 and less than m, indicating the value corresponding to the mutual capacitance of each of the excitation electrode Ty(k) and the detecting electrodes Tx(1) to Tx(n) when the excitation pulse signal is applied to the excitation electrode Ty(k). In addition, the charge detection circuit 212 can identify to which of the excitation electrodes Ty(1) to Ty(m) the excitation pulse signal is applied by the control signal from the touch detection control circuit 213. The touch coordinate calculation circuit 214 obtains the data of the coordinates touched by the indicator 2 (hereinafter referred to as "touch coordinate data") based on the above-mentioned charge detection result. The touch coordinate data is output to the outside of the tactile presentation touch panel 400, and is also output to the voltage supply circuit 110 of the tactile presentation panel 100.

[0130] The voltage supply circuit 110 includes a switch circuit 112, a tactile presentation voltage generation circuit 113, and a tactile presentation control circuit 114. The tactile presentation voltage generation circuit 113 applies a voltage signal V to the first electrode 102a among the tactile electrodes H(1) to H(j) via the switch circuit 112. a , a voltage signal V is applied to the second electrode 102b b In other words, the voltage signal V is applied alternately to the tactile electrodes H(1) to H(j) arranged in one direction (horizontally in the figure). a And the voltage signal V b . The switch circuit 112 obtains an on state or an off state according to an instruction from the tactile presentation voltage generation circuit 113. The switch circuit 112 connects the tactile electrode 102 to the tactile presentation voltage generation circuit 113 in the on state, and makes the tactile electrode 102 float in the off state. In the present embodiment 1, the switch circuit 112 has two switches 40, one of which switches the electrical path to all the first electrodes 102a, and the other switches the electrical path to all the second electrodes 102b. These two switches 40 can also be controlled in a linked manner. In addition, the switch 40 is equivalent to a switching unit.

[0131] The tactile presentation control circuit 114 refers to the information of the touch coordinate data detected by the touch detection circuit 210. Based on this information, the tactile presentation control circuit 114 can control the operation of the tactile presentation voltage generation circuit 113. That is, the touch detection circuit 210 functions as a contact detection unit that detects that the user has touched the tactile presentation knob 3.

[0132] <Tactile presentation of touch panel action>

[0133] Fig.21 1 is a schematic diagram showing an impression of the electrostatic capacitance of the excitation electrode 202 and the detection electrode 203 when the pointer 2 does not touch the tactile sense presenting knob 3 . Fig. 22 The tactile sense presenting touch panel 400 is schematically shown when the indicator 2 does not contact the tactile sense presenting knob 3 (see Fig.21 )’s action timing diagram.

[0134] When the indicator 2 does not touch the tactile presentation knob 3, the conductive elastic portion 6 and the tactile electrode 102 are both in a floating state and are at the same potential as the detection electrode 203. The charge detection circuit 212 detects the charge amount based mainly on the electrostatic capacitance of the detection electrode 203 and the excitation electrode 202.

[0135] The touch detection control circuit 213 also outputs the control signal to the tactile presentation voltage generation circuit 113. According to the control signal, the tactile presentation voltage generation circuit 113 can identify the touch detection period P1. In the touch detection period P1, the tactile presentation voltage generation circuit 113 turns off the switch 40 of the switch circuit 112. As a result, the electrical connection between the tactile presentation voltage generation circuit 113 and all the tactile electrodes 102 is cut off. As a result, the potential of all the tactile electrodes 102 becomes a floating state.

[0136] Next, in the touch coordinate calculation period P2, the touch coordinate calculation circuit 214 determines whether there is a touch using the indicator 2 based on the charge detection results of the mutual capacitances corresponding to the excitation electrodes Ty(1) to Ty(m) respectively, in other words, the charge detection results of the capacitances of all intersections formed by the excitation electrodes Ty(1) to Ty(m) and the detection electrodes Tx(1) to Tx(n) input and held from the charge detection circuit 212. As a result of the electric field coupling between the excitation electrode 202 and the detection electrode 203 being relaxed by the proximity or contact of the indicator 2 such as a finger, the charge in the mutual capacitance decreases. Based on the degree of decrease, the touch coordinate calculation circuit 214 can determine whether there is a touch. When it is determined that there is a touch, the touch coordinate calculation circuit 214 starts calculating the touch coordinate data based on the above-mentioned charge detection results. Specifically, the touch coordinate calculation circuit 214 can calculate the touch coordinate data by performing calculation processing such as centroid calculation on the detection results of the intersection with the largest degree of charge decrease and the intersections around it. When the touch coordinate calculation circuit 214 determines that there is no touch, it does not calculate the touch coordinate data, and the process returns to the touch detection period P1. In order to enable such processing, the touch coordinate calculation circuit 214 gives the touch detection control circuit 213 a signal indicating the determination result of whether the indicator 2 has touched the touch panel surface and whether it has touched the tactile presentation knob 3. When the determination result that the indicator 2 has not touched the tactile presentation knob 3 appears, the actions of P1 to P3 are repeated.

[0137] Here, the operation in the case where there is no determination result that the pointer 2 has contacted the tactile presentation knob 3 will be described below.

[0138] Fig.23 It is a schematic diagram showing an impression of the electrostatic capacitance between the excitation electrode 202 and the position detection unit 7 when the pointer 2 contacts the tactile sense presenting knob 3 . Fig.24 The tactile sense presenting touch panel 400 (see FIG. Fig.21 )’s action timing diagram.

[0139] When the indicator 2 contacts the tactile presentation knob 3, the conductive elastic portion 6 is connected to the ground via the tactile presentation knob 3 and the indicator 2, and the detection electrode 203 forms an electrostatic capacitance with the conductive elastic portion 6 via the tactile electrode 102, and the electrostatic capacitance between the detection electrode 203 and the excitation electrode 202 decreases. As a result, the amount of charge detected by the charge detection circuit 212 decreases, and it is detected that the indicator 2 contacts the tactile presentation knob 3.

[0140] During the touch detection period P1, the touch detection control circuit 213 outputs a control signal indicating the first conversion timing to the excitation pulse generating circuit 215. Receiving the control signal, the excitation pulse generating circuit 215 provides an excitation pulse signal (charging pulse signal) to the excitation electrode Ty(1). As a result, the inter-electrode capacitance (mutual capacitance) between the excitation electrode Ty(1) and the detection electrodes Tx(1) to Tx(n) intersecting with it when viewed from above is charged. The charge detection circuit 212 detects the amount of charge generated by the above charging using the detection electrodes Tx(1) to Tx(n). Then, the charge detection circuit 212 performs analog / digital conversion (A / D conversion) on its detection result, and outputs the digital information obtained as a charge detection result of the mutual capacitance corresponding to the excitation electrode Ty(1) to the touch coordinate calculation circuit 214. Similarly, the touch detection control circuit 213 sequentially outputs control signals indicating the second to mth conversion timings to the excitation pulse generating circuit 215. Corresponding to each of the second to mth conversion timings, the charge detection results of the mutual capacitances corresponding to the excitation electrodes Ty( 2 ) to Ty(m) are output to the touch coordinate calculation circuit 214 .

[0141] The touch detection control circuit 213 also outputs the control signal to the tactile presentation voltage generation circuit 113. According to the control signal, the tactile presentation voltage generation circuit 113 can identify the touch detection period P1. In the touch detection period P1, the tactile presentation voltage generation circuit 113 turns off the switch 40 of the switch circuit 112. As a result, the electrical connection between the tactile presentation voltage generation circuit 113 and all the tactile electrodes 102 is cut off. As a result, the potentials of all the tactile electrodes 102 are in a floating state.

[0142] Next, in the touch coordinate calculation period P2, the touch coordinate calculation circuit 214 determines whether there is a touch using the indicator 2 based on the charge detection results of the mutual capacitances corresponding to the excitation electrodes Ty(1) to Ty(m) respectively, in other words, the charge detection results of the capacitances of all intersections formed by the excitation electrodes Ty(1) to Ty(m) and the detection electrodes Tx(1) to Tx(n) input and held from the charge detection circuit 212. As a result of the electric field coupling between the excitation electrode 202 and the detection electrode 203 being relaxed by the proximity or contact of the indicator 2 such as a finger, the charge in the mutual capacitance decreases. Based on the degree of decrease, the touch coordinate calculation circuit 214 can determine whether there is a touch. When it is determined that there is a touch, the touch coordinate calculation circuit 214 starts calculating the touch coordinate data based on the above-mentioned charge detection results. Specifically, the touch coordinate calculation circuit 214 can calculate the touch coordinate data by performing calculation processing such as centroid calculation on the detection results of the intersection with the largest degree of charge decrease and the intersections around it. If the touch coordinate calculation circuit 214 determines that there is no touch, it does not calculate the touch coordinate data and returns the process to the touch detection period P1. To enable such processing, the touch coordinate calculation circuit 214 gives a signal indicating the determination result of the touch to the touch detection control circuit 213.

[0143] Next, in the touch coordinate sending period P3 , the touch coordinate calculation circuit 214 outputs the touch coordinate data to the outside of the tactile presenting touch panel 400 and the voltage supply circuit 110 of the tactile presenting panel 100 according to the touch coordinate data sending timing from the touch detection control circuit 213 .

[0144] Next, in the determination period P4 , the tactile sense presentation control circuit 114 determines the position of the tactile sense presentation knob 3 based on the touch coordinate data, and determines the area where the tactile sense is presented.

[0145] The tactile presentation control circuit 114 selects a tactile presentation signal waveform corresponding to the coordinates of the display screen and the tactile presentation knob 3. The “tactile presentation signal waveform” defines a voltage signal V a And the voltage signal V b In addition, the voltage signal V a With the voltage signal V bThe difference in waveform between them is typically a difference in frequency. A tactile presentation signal waveform is set inside or outside the tactile presentation control circuit 114. The type of tactile presentation signal waveform can be either one or more than one. In the case where there is only one type of tactile presentation signal waveform, there is no need to select the processing of the tactile presentation signal waveform. In the case where there are more than one type of tactile presentation signal waveform, typically, a plurality of tactile presentation coordinate areas or display screen modes corresponding to each type are pre-set, and the type of tactile presentation signal waveform is selected according to which area the touch coordinates are included.

[0146] Next, during the tactile presentation signal application period P5, the tactile presentation control circuit 114 generates a tactile presentation signal under the above-mentioned tactile presentation signal waveform. In addition, the switch 40 of the switch circuit 112 connected to the tactile electrode 102 in the area where the tactile presentation signal is input is connected to the tactile presentation voltage generation circuit 113, and the switch 40 connected to the tactile electrode 102 in the area where the tactile presentation signal is not input is connected to GND or the tactile electrode 102 is floated while the switch is not turned on. As a result, a signal is applied to the tactile electrode 102, so that tactile sensation is presented. Fig.24 In the example of , an AC signal having an H level (high level) and an L level (low level) is applied to the tactile electrode 102. The tactile electrode 102 is charged with a positive high voltage, typically tens of volts, during the H level period, and is discharged during the 0 level period. It is charged with a negative high voltage, typically tens of volts, during the L level. The generation cycle and generation period of the pulse signal can be appropriately set according to the tactile sense to be given.

[0147] After the tactile presentation signal application period P5, the process returns to the touch detection period P1. Thus, the above-mentioned operation is repeated. Thus, the tactile presentation touch panel 400 can detect the position of the tactile presentation knob 3 and present tactile sensations corresponding to the position of the tactile presentation knob 3 and the display screen.

[0148] Fig.25 The touch detection period P1 (see Fig.24 ) is a schematic diagram showing the formation of electrostatic capacitance in the touch panel 400. In the touch detection period P1, an electrostatic capacitance C is formed between the indicator 2 and the detection electrode 203. ND During this period, the potentials of all the touch electrodes 102 are in a floating state. This prevents the touch electrodes 102 from functioning as a shield. Therefore, the sensitivity of touch detection can be improved.

[0149] Fig.26 The tactile presentation signal application period P5 (refer to Fig.24) is a schematic diagram of the formation of electrostatic capacitance in the touch display 1 in the tactile presentation. During the tactile presentation signal application period P5, the potential of the excitation electrode 202 and the detection electrode 203 of the touch panel 200 can be in a floating state. As a result, the electrostatic capacitance C C can be suppressed due to the formation of capacitance between the excitation electrode 202 and the detection electrode 203. NE Alternatively, the potential of the excitation electrode 202 and the detection electrode 203 of the touch panel 200 may be substantially constant potential, for example, the excitation electrode 202 and the detection electrode 203 may be connected to the ground potential with low impedance. Thus, the excitation electrode 202 and the detection electrode 203 can function as a shield between the tactile electrode 102 and the display panel 300. Therefore, the noise generated in the display panel 300 due to the high voltage signal applied to the tactile electrode 102 is suppressed. Therefore, the display defect caused by the noise can be prevented. In addition, on the contrary, the noise generated in the tactile electrode 102 due to the display panel 300 is suppressed. When the tactile presentation signal is applied to the tactile electrode, the conductive elastic part 6 forms an electrostatic capacitance with the tactile electrode 102, and the surface of the conductive elastic part 6 in contact with the dielectric layer 106 accumulates a charge of a potential opposite to the voltage of the tactile electrode 102, and an electrostatic force is generated between the conductive elastic part 6 and the dielectric layer 106. As a result, the friction between the conductive elastic part 6 and the dielectric layer 106 changes, and when the tactile presentation knob 3 is rotated, a minute vibration is generated, and the vibration is transmitted to the indicator 2 and is felt as the operation feeling when the tactile presentation knob 3 is rotated.

[0150] In addition, when a floating state is used, both the excitation electrode 202 and the detection electrode 203 may be in a floating state or one of them may be in a floating state. In addition, when a constant potential is used, both the excitation electrode 202 and the detection electrode 203 may be in a constant potential or one of them may be in a constant potential. It is also possible that one of the excitation electrode 202 and the detection electrode 203 is in a floating state and the other is in a constant potential. In the case where the distances between the excitation electrode 202 and the detection electrode 203 and the tactile electrode 102 are different, it is also possible that the one closer to the tactile electrode 102 of the excitation electrode 202 and the detection electrode 203 is in a floating state and the one farther away is in a constant potential.

[0151] In addition, Fig. 20 In the example shown, the touch coordinate data is sent from the touch detection circuit 210 to the voltage supply circuit 110, but as a modification, the charge detection circuit 212 may send information of the charge detection result to the voltage supply circuit 110. In this case, the tactile presentation control circuit 114 uses the information of the charge detection result to determine whether a touch is present and calculate the touch coordinates.

[0152] <Suppression of Charge Accumulation in the Conductive Elastic Section>

[0153] Fig. 27 This is an image diagram schematically showing the movement of charges when the charges accumulated in the conductive elastic part 6 are grounded via the indicator 2 when the signal voltage is applied. The conductive elastic part 6 is made by mixing conductive carbon black and metal particles in an insulating resin, so the resistance is relatively high and charges are easily accumulated. When charges are accumulated in the conductive elastic part 6, the electrostatic force between the tactile electrode 102 and the tactile electrode 102 does not change due to the signal voltage, and the tactile intensity is reduced. When the conductive elastic part 6 and the surface of the rotating part 4 are electrically connected, the indicator 2 is grounded via the indicator 2 when the rotating part 4 is in contact, so that the charges accumulated in the conductive elastic part 6 are released, and the accumulation of charges can be suppressed.

[0154] When the resistance of the conductive elastic portion 6 is high, it is difficult for the electric charge to move in the conductive elastic portion 6, and the electric charge cannot be fully released only by releasing the electric charge through the indicator 2 as described above. In this case, by causing at least one of the conductive elastic portions 6 divided into two or more when the signal voltage is applied to form an electrostatic capacitance with the tactile electrode 102, at least one of the conductive elastic portions 6 is connected to the ground via the dielectric layer 106 (see below). Fig.28 ) is connected to the tactile electrode 102, thereby preventing the accumulation of electric charge. The tactile electrode 102 connected to the charge discharge portion 115 does not need to be fixed, and can be driven by switching the application of the signal voltage and the connection to the charge discharge portion 115 in the same tactile electrode 102, or the tactile electrode 102 to which the signal voltage is applied and the tactile electrode 102 connected to the charge discharge portion 115 can be alternated. However, no electrostatic force is generated in the tactile electrode 102 connected to the charge discharge portion 115. Therefore, in order to prevent the tactile sense from being reduced, by making the number of tactile electrodes 102 to which the signal voltage is applied greater than the number of tactile electrodes 102 connected to the charge discharge portion 115, or making the time of connection to the charge discharge portion 115 shorter than the time of applying the signal voltage, the effective area of ​​the conductive elastic portion 6 that generates electrostatic force between the tactile electrode 102 and the charge discharge portion 115 can be made larger than the effective area of ​​the conductive elastic portion 6 that forms a capacitor with the charge discharge portion 115.

[0155] Fig.28This is a block diagram showing a structure in which the tactile electrode 102 is driven in such a manner that at least one of the conductive elastic parts 6 divided into two or more forms an electrostatic capacitance with the tactile electrode 102, and at least one is connected to the tactile electrode 102 connected to the ground via the dielectric layer 106. In the determination period P4, the tactile presentation control circuit 114 determines the position where the tactile presentation knob 3 is placed based on the touch coordinate data, determines the area for tactile presentation, divides the area into two or more, and determines the area for inputting the tactile presentation signal and the area connected to the GND.

[0156] The tactile presentation control circuit 114 selects a tactile presentation signal waveform corresponding to the coordinates of the display screen and the tactile presentation knob 3. The “tactile presentation signal waveform” defines a voltage signal V a And the voltage signal V b In addition, the voltage signal V a With the voltage signal V b The difference in waveform between them is typically a difference in frequency. A tactile presentation signal waveform is set inside or outside the tactile presentation control circuit 114. The type of tactile presentation signal waveform can be either one or more than one. In the case where there is only one type of tactile presentation signal waveform, there is no need to select the processing of the tactile presentation signal waveform. In the case where there are more than one type of tactile presentation signal waveform, typically, a plurality of tactile presentation coordinate areas or display screen modes corresponding to each type are pre-set, and the type of tactile presentation signal waveform is selected according to which area the touch coordinates are included.

[0157] Next, during the tactile presentation signal application period P5, the tactile presentation control circuit 114 generates a tactile presentation signal under the above-mentioned tactile presentation signal waveform. In addition, the switch 40 of the switch circuit 112 connected to the tactile electrode 102 in the area where the tactile presentation signal is input is connected to the tactile presentation voltage generation circuit 113, and the switch 40 connected to the tactile electrode 102 in the area connected to GND is connected to GND. The switch 40 connected to the tactile electrode 102 in the area where the tactile presentation signal is not input is connected to GND or the switch 40 is not turned on and the tactile electrode 102 is left floating as it is. As a result, a signal is applied to the tactile electrode 102, so that tactile sensation is presented. Fig.24 In the example of , an AC signal having an H level (high level) and an L level (low level) is applied to the tactile electrode 102. The tactile electrode 102 is charged with a positive high voltage, typically tens of volts, during the H level period, and is discharged during the 0 level period. It is charged with a negative high voltage, typically tens of volts, during the L level. The generation cycle and generation period of the pulse signal can be appropriately set according to the tactile sense to be given.

[0158] After the tactile presentation signal application period P5, the process returns to the touch detection period P1. Thus, the above-mentioned operation is repeated. Thus, the tactile presentation touch panel 400 can detect the position of the tactile presentation knob 3 and present tactile sensations corresponding to the position of the tactile presentation knob 3 and the display screen.

[0159] In the first embodiment, the GND terminal is used as the charge discharge portion 115, but other structures may be used as long as the charge accumulated in the conductive elastic portion 6 can be discharged. For example, a positive voltage or a negative voltage that can efficiently discharge the charge may be applied instead of the GND terminal, depending on the conductivity of the charge accumulated in the conductive elastic portion 6.

[0160] <Differences between the electrode structure of the tactile display screen and the electrode structure of the touch screen>

[0161] As a suitable condition for the tactile electrode 102 , first, it is preferable that the indicator 2 can contact the tactile electrode 102 without passing through any member other than the dielectric layer 106 . Therefore, the tactile electrode 102 covered with the dielectric layer 106 is preferably arranged on the outermost surface of the tactile presenting touch panel 400 .

[0162] Second, the closer the distance between the indicator 2 and the tactile electrode 102 is, the greater the tactile sensation can be. From this viewpoint, the thickness of the dielectric layer 106 is preferably small, and the dielectric constant of the dielectric layer 106 is preferably large.

[0163] Third, when generating a tactile sensation, in order to increase the electrostatic capacitance C NE (Refer to Fig.26 ), preferably the tactile electrodes 102 are densely present, on the other hand, when detecting the touch position (refer to Fig.25 ) so as not to hinder the electrostatic capacitance C ND The electrostatic capacitance C between the tactile electrodes 102 is formed in a manner such that E , that is, the inter-electrode capacitance is preferably small.

[0164] In the case where the size of the tactile presentation touch panel 400 is larger than the tactile presentation knob 3 and the area where the tactile presentation knob 3 is not placed is used as a touch panel without tactile presentation, when the indicator 2 does not touch the tactile presentation knob 3, the operation timing ( Fig. 22 When a touch is detected in an area of ​​the touch panel that does not perform tactile presentation, the touch position is calculated and output. When the indicator 2 contacts the tactile presentation knob 3, the touch detection in the area where the tactile presentation knob 3 is not placed is stopped, and the touch detection in the area where the tactile presentation knob 3 is placed is performed only when the indicator 2 contacts the tactile presentation knob 3 as described above ( Fig.24 ) action is a timed action.

[0165] When the area where the tactile presentation knob 3 is not placed is used as a touch panel for tactile presentation, when the indicator 2 does not touch the tactile presentation knob 3, the operation timing ( Fig. 22 When a touch is detected in the area of ​​the touch panel used for tactile presentation, when the indicator 2 contacts the tactile presentation knob 3 as described above ( Fig.24 When the indicator 2 contacts the tactile presentation knob 3, the touch detection of the area where the tactile presentation knob 3 is not placed is stopped, and the touch detection of the area where the tactile presentation knob 3 is placed is performed only when the indicator 2 contacts the tactile presentation knob 3 as described above ( Fig.24 ) action is a timed action.

[0166] As appropriate conditions for the excitation electrodes 202 and the detection electrodes 203, first, a matrix structure capable of accurately identifying the touch position is required in order to ensure the sensitivity and linearity of the touch position detection. Second, in order to form an electrostatic capacitance C between the indicator 2 and the detection electrodes 203 through the tactile presentation screen 150, ND In order to detect the touch position, it is necessary to provide a predetermined distance (more than several hundred μm and less than several mm) between the excitation electrode 202 and the detection electrode 203 so that the electric field can spread in the lateral direction.

[0167] As described above, there is a difference between the appropriate conditions for the tactile electrode 102 and the appropriate conditions for the excitation electrode 202 and the detection electrode 203. In order to optimize both conditions, it is not desirable to apply the same configuration to them.

[0168] <Details of Extracting Wiring Layers>

[0169] Specifically, the extraction wiring layer 105 ( Fig.12 ) has extraction wiring layers Ld(1) to Ld(j) and extraction wiring layers Lu(1) to Lu(j). Let k be any integer numbered from 1 to j, and the extraction wiring layers Ld(k) and Lu(k) are each connected to the kth tactile electrode 102. The extraction wiring layers Ld(k) and Lu(k) are each connected to one end and the other end of a tactile electrode 102 in the extension direction.

[0170] The wiring resistance of each tactile electrode 102 provided on the tactile presentation screen 150 is preferably high resistance, for example, preferably 104Ω or more, from the viewpoint of not hindering touch detection using the touch screen 250. In the case of such high wiring resistance, propagation delay of the voltage signal in the wiring layer is likely to occur. As described above, by connecting the extraction wiring layer 105 to each of one end and the other end of the tactile electrode 102, the propagation delay can be suppressed.

[0171] The extracted wiring layers Ld(1) to Ld(j) are arranged outside the tactile presentation area, and extend to the corresponding electrodes in sequence from the layer close to the center of the arrangement of the tactile presentation panel terminal portion 107 in a manner that can obtain approximately the shortest distance from the tactile presentation panel terminal portion 107. The tactile presentation panel terminal portion 107 is arranged along the long side of the transparent insulating substrate 101 near the center of the long side. The extracted wiring layers Ld(1) to Ld(j) ensure mutual insulation and are arranged as densely as possible. The extracted wiring layers Lu(1) to Lu(j) are similarly arranged outside the area occupied by the extracted wiring layers Ld(1) to Ld(j). By adopting such a configuration, the area of ​​the portion outside the tactile presentation area in the transparent insulating substrate 101 can be suppressed.

[0172] The extraction wiring layer 105, specifically the extraction wiring layers Ld(1) to Ld(j) and the extraction wiring layers Lu(1) to Lu(j), are preferably composed of any film of a metal single layer film or a laminated film of a metal single layer and a non-metal single layer. In the case where the laminated film has a lower layer and an upper layer covering it, the upper layer can have a function as a protective layer for the lower layer. For example, in the etching process of using the upper layer as a protective layer to manufacture the tactile presentation screen 150, the lower layer can also be protected from the corrosive agent. Alternatively, the upper layer can also function as a cap layer to prevent corrosion of the lower layer during the manufacture or use of the tactile presentation screen 150. If the material of the lower layer is made to have better adhesion to the transparent insulating substrate 101 than the material of the upper layer, the extraction wiring layer 105 can be suppressed from peeling off.

[0173] <Effect>

[0174] According to the first embodiment, when the user uses the tactile presentation knob 3 to operate on the tactile presentation touch panel 400, the operation feeling of the tactile presentation knob 3 and the tactile feeling of the operation amount are presented to the user, and the operation feeling when operating a mechanical dial knob can be obtained, so the operation accuracy based on the tactile feeling can be improved and the reliability of the operation can be obtained. In addition, the position of the dial knob on the touch panel and the tactile feeling during operation can be arbitrarily set, so by using one dial knob for multiple operation purposes, an HMI layout that takes into account the reduction of the number of operation switches, the user's operation convenience and the purpose of use can be realized. In addition, when one dial knob is used for multiple operation purposes, the effect of preventing misoperation can be obtained by utilizing the tactile feeling during operation to identify the operation content. In addition, in the setting area outside the standard setting range, such as when setting conditions, the effect of preventing dangerous operations such as giving the user a tactile feeling such as detecting danger can also be obtained.

[0175] When using the tactile presentation knob 3 to operate on the tactile presentation touch display 1, it is possible to detect the location where the user places the tactile presentation knob 3, and display the scale in accordance with the position and setting status of the tactile presentation knob 3, so that the knob operation can be performed at any position within the display area that the user wishes to operate.

[0176] In addition, by driving the tactile electrode 102 in such a manner that at least one of the conductive elastic portions 6 divided into two or more forms an electrostatic capacitance with the tactile electrode 102 and at least one of the conductive elastic portions 6 is connected to the ground via the dielectric layer 106, the charge accumulated in the conductive elastic portion 6 having a relatively high resistance is directly released to the tactile electrode 102 via the dielectric layer 106, thereby preventing the accumulation of charge. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an unintended tactile sensation or the deterioration of the conductive elastic portion 6 due to the tactile sensation caused by the accumulation of charge in the conductive elastic portion 6.

[0177] This can also be applied when the tactile presentation knob 3 is used in a fixed setting. In this case, it is possible to detect that the indicator 2 has contacted the tactile presentation knob 3 through the excitation electrode 202 and the detection electrode 203 without detecting the position of the tactile presentation knob 3, and then present a tactile sensation to the tactile presentation knob 3 without detecting the touch position. That is, Figure 1 The touch panel 200 does not need to have the functions of detecting both touch and touch coordinates. If it only has at least the detection of touch, the effect of the first embodiment can be achieved. In addition, the tactile presentation knob 3 does not need the position detection unit 7, and the conductive elastic unit 6 can be used to detect the touch. In addition, in the above case, the tactile presentation panel 100 and the touch panel 200 do not need to be provided in the entire tactile presentation touch display 1, and only need to be provided in the area where the tactile presentation knob 3 is configured.

[0178] In addition, the tactile presentation knob 3 is not fixedly set, and areas such as the above-mentioned tactile presentation knob 3 are set and configured at specific multiple locations on the touch panel 200. When a tactile presentation knob 3 is configured at a preferred location among the specific multiple locations, it is necessary to detect the location where the tactile presentation knob 3 is configured when detecting the above-mentioned touch.

[0179] <Implementation Method 2>

[0180] Fig.29 This is an impression diagram when the tactile sense presentation knob 3 is used on the tactile sense presentation touch panel 400 which is set up tilted or vertically. Fig.30 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the rotating portion 4 a when the tactile sense presenting knob 3 is used on the tactile sense presenting touch panel 400 which is set up inclined or vertically. Fig.31 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the fixing portion 5 a when the tactile sense presenting knob 3 is used on the tactile sense presenting touch panel 400 which is set up obliquely or vertically. Fig.32 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the fixing base 13 a when the tactile sense presenting knob 3 is used on the tactile sense presenting touch panel 400 which is set up tilted or vertically.

[0181] When the tactile presentation knob 3 is used on a tactile presentation touch panel 400 that is not horizontal but inclined or vertically set up, it is necessary to have a mechanism that keeps the rotating part 4a rotating around the shaft 14a, and a structure that does not fall off from the fixed part 5a. An example of the structure of such a tactile presentation knob 3 is shown. For example, the shaft 14a of the fixed part 5a and the fixed base 13a are connected and bonded in such a way that the rotating part 4a is sandwiched between the fixed part 5a and the fixed base 13a, so that the rotating part 4a does not fall off from the fixed part 5a, and the fixed base 13a is bonded to the tactile presentation touch panel 400 for use. Alternatively, the top end of the shaft 14a may be processed with an external thread, the bonding part 17 may be processed with an internal thread and connected, and the fixed base 13a may be bonded to the tactile presentation touch panel 400 for use.

[0182] <Effect>

[0183] Since the rotating portion 4a is held to rotate about the shaft portion 14a and the rotating portion 4a and the fixing portion 5a are connected, the tactile sense presenting knob 3 can be used regardless of the angle at which the tactile sense presenting touch panel 400 is fixed.

[0184] <Implementation Method 3>

[0185] Fig.33This is a schematic diagram of a case where the rotating portion 4b is placed on the contact surface of the tactile sense presenting touch panel 400 and rotated when there are multiple positions for placing the tactile sense presenting knob 3 and the position for placing the tactile sense presenting knob 3 is changed for operation. Fig.34 This is a schematic diagram of the fixed portion 5b that becomes the rotation axis when the rotating portion 4b is placed on the contact surface of the tactile presenting touch panel 400 and rotated when there are multiple positions for placing the tactile presenting knob 3 and the position of the tactile presenting knob 3 is changed for operation.

[0186] When the tactile presentation knob 3 is placed at an arbitrary position on the tactile presentation panel 100 and operated, it is necessary to have a structure in which the fixing portion 5b can be fixed or removed on the tactile presentation touch panel 400. For example, as an example, the fixing platform and the shaft portion can also be made into a separate structure, and a suction cup can be used as the fixing platform such as the fixing platform 13b. The upper surface 12b of the rotating portion is pressed so that the fixing platform 13b as a suction cup is in close contact with the operating surface of the tactile presentation touch panel 400. In the case of this structure, even if the tactile presentation panel 100 is fixed at an angle other than a plane, the rotating portion 4b will not fall off, so the angle of the operating surface can be set arbitrarily.

[0187] In the case of the third embodiment, three or more position detection units 7 are arranged so as to be located at the vertices of a regular polygon. Even if the indicator 2 is touched at multiple points, the touch positions do not form a regular polygon, so it is possible to distinguish between the indicator 2 touching and the tactile presentation knob 3 touching. When the tactile presentation knob 3 is not placed on the tactile presentation touch panel 400 or when the indicator 2 is not touching the tactile presentation knob 3, the action timing ( Fig. 22 If the position of the conductive elastic part 6 is detected to be moved and the tactile sense presentation knob 3 is operated, the area where the tactile sense presentation knob 3 is placed is switched to the area where the indicator 2 contacts the tactile sense presentation knob 3 as described above ( Fig.24 )'s actions are timed and acted upon.

[0188] Even when the indicator 2 contacts the tactile sense presenting touch panel 400, the display is switched to when the indicator 2 contacts the tactile sense presenting knob 3 as described above ( Fig.24 )'s actions are timed and acted upon.

[0189] <Effect>

[0190] The dial knob operation position can be arbitrarily set to a position that is easy to operate for each operation condition and each user, so the operability is improved. Only the user who keeps the tactile presentation knob 3 can operate the dial knob operation, so the safety is improved. In addition, by changing the configuration of the conductive elastic part 6 and registering the layout and operation content of the conductive elastic part 6 in advance, the operation content that can be operated can be limited for each tactile presentation knob 3.

[0191] <Implementation Method 4>

[0192] Fig.35 FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing the structure of a segmented tactile presentation panel 100 a . Fig.36 , 37 It is shown that the configuration is Fig.35 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the pattern shape of the tactile electrode 102 in the region A in FIG. A tactile presentation panel 100a of a segmented structure is used in which units each consisting of a first electrode 102a and a second electrode 102b are arranged in a matrix and driven separately. The tactile presentation panel 100a and the touch panel 200 can also be used together by switching a switch in a driving circuit.

[0193] <Effect>

[0194] The tactile sense presenting panel 100a and the touch panel 200 can be used together to reduce the weight of the tactile sense presenting touch display. Since the signal voltage can be input only to the electrodes directly below the tactile sense presenting knob 3, the power consumption can be reduced.

[0195] <Implementation method 5>

[0196] Also available in Fig.12 The side of the tactile presentation panel 100 opposite to the operating surface is configured as follows: Fig.35 Even in this case, the touch panel is configured in Fig.35 The detection electrode and the excitation electrode in the region A can be as follows Fig.36 , 37 In addition, the shapes of the detection electrodes and the excitation electrodes are not limited to Fig.36 , 37 The shape of the touch panel 102 can be configured so that the mutual capacitance between the detection electrode and the excitation electrode in the same area is larger than the mutual capacitance between the detection electrode and the excitation electrode in different areas in the adjacent structure. Specifically, the distance between the detection electrode and the excitation electrode in the same area can be configured to be narrower than the distance between the detection electrode or the excitation electrode in different areas. In this way, the influence of the capacitance formed between the detection electrode and the tactile electrode 102 of the touch panel on the touch detection accuracy can be suppressed, so the wiring resistance of the tactile electrode 102 can be further reduced, and the tactile intensity can be further improved.

[0197] In addition, since the structure other than the above is substantially the same as any structure in the above-mentioned Embodiments 1 to 3, the description thereof is omitted.

[0198] In addition, the present invention can freely combine the various embodiments or appropriately modify or omit the various embodiments within the scope of the invention.

[0199] Although the present invention has been described in detail, the above description is in all aspects illustrative and the present invention is not limited thereto. It should be understood that numerous modifications not shown can be conceived without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tactile presentation panel, wherein a tactile presentation knob having a plurality of conductive elastic parts is placed on an operation surface, and a tactile presentation knob is used to present a tactile sense to a user, wherein: have: A tactile electrode, comprising a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes disposed on the operation surface side of the tactile presentation panel; A dielectric layer, covering the tactile electrodes and having one side as the operating surface; a voltage generating circuit for generating a voltage signal having a first frequency to be applied to at least one of the first electrodes in an area of ​​at least a portion of the operation surface of the tactile presentation panel, and generating a voltage signal having a second frequency different from the first frequency to be applied to at least one of the second electrodes in an area of ​​at least a portion of the operation surface of the tactile presentation panel; a charge discharge portion connected to the tactile electrode; as well as a contact detection unit, for detecting that the user touches the tactile presentation knob, The first electrode is connected to the voltage generating circuit and the second electrode is connected to the charge discharge unit while the user is touching the tactile sense presenting knob. The first electrode connected to the voltage generating circuit and at least a portion of the conductive elastic portion are opposed to each other via the dielectric layer. The second electrode connected to the charge extraction portion and at least a portion of the conductive elastic portion that does not face the first electrode are opposed to each other via the dielectric layer.

2. The tactile presentation panel according to claim 1, wherein: The charge discharge section is a GND terminal.

3. The tactile presentation panel according to claim 1, wherein: The device further includes a switching unit provided between the voltage generating circuit and the charge discharging unit and configured to switch connection between the tactile electrode and the voltage generating circuit or the charge discharging unit.

4. The tactile presentation panel according to claim 2, wherein: The device further includes a switching unit provided between the voltage generating circuit and the charge discharging unit and configured to switch connection between the tactile electrode and the voltage generating circuit or the charge discharging unit.

5. The tactile presentation panel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The contact detection unit detects that the tactile sense presentation knob is placed on the operation surface of the tactile sense presentation panel.

6. The tactile presentation panel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The contact detection unit detects a position of the tactile presentation knob on the operation surface of the tactile presentation panel using a position detection unit included in the tactile presentation knob.

7. The tactile presentation panel according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: The switching unit connects at least the adjacent first electrodes and second electrodes among the first electrodes and second electrodes overlapping with the tactile presentation knob when viewed from above and the voltage generating circuit, and connects at least one of the first electrodes and the second electrodes and the charge discharge unit.

8. The tactile presentation panel according to claim 6, wherein: The contact detection unit calculates a rotation angle of the tactile sense presentation knob using the position detection unit.

9. The tactile presentation panel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The generation of the voltage signal by the voltage generation circuit and the detection by the contact detection unit are performed in a time-division manner, The contact detection unit detects capacitance formed between the tactile sense presentation knob and a detection electrode provided on a side of the tactile sense electrode opposite to the tactile sense presentation knob.

10. The tactile presentation panel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The first electrode and the second electrode form a pair and are arranged in a matrix.

11. A tactile display touch panel, comprising: The tactile presentation panel according to any one of claims 1 to 9; and a touch panel disposed on a side of the tactile presentation panel opposite to the operation surface; in, The contact detection unit is provided on the touch panel instead of the tactile sense presentation panel.

12. The tactile sense presenting touch panel according to claim 11, wherein: The detection electrodes and the excitation electrodes of the touch panel form a pair and are arranged in a matrix.

13. A tactile display having: The tactile presentation touch panel according to claim 11 or 12; and A display panel is mounted on the tactile presentation touch panel.

14. A tactile presentation knob, placed on the operating surface of the tactile presentation panel according to any one of claims 1 to 10, presenting tactile sensation to a user, wherein: Each of the conductive elastic portions is provided at a position facing the operation surface.

15. The tactile presentation knob according to claim 14, wherein: have: a position detection unit used when the contact detection unit of the tactile presentation panel detects the position of the tactile presentation knob on the operation surface of the tactile presentation panel; and The fixing portion fixes the tactile sense presentation knob to the operation surface and serves as a central axis for rotating the tactile sense presentation knob.

16. The tactile presentation knob according to claim 14, wherein: Each of the conductive elastic portions is divided into a plurality of portions on the same plane, and overlaps at least the adjacent first electrode and the second electrode in a plan view.

17. The tactile presentation knob according to claim 15, wherein: Each of the conductive elastic portions is divided into a plurality of portions on the same plane, and overlaps at least the adjacent first electrode and the second electrode in a plan view.

18. The tactile presentation knob according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein: The tactile presentation knob is circular when viewed from above. The outer diameter of each of the conductive elastic parts in the tactile presentation knob is larger than a pitch between each of the first electrodes or each of the second electrodes.

19. The tactile presentation knob according to claim 15, wherein: Each of the conductive elastic portion and the position detection portion is electrically connected to a side surface of the tactile sense presenting knob, and is grounded via the user when the user touches the tactile sense presenting knob.

20. The tactile presentation knob of claim 15, wherein: The conductive elastic portions have an area larger than that of the position detecting portion in a plan view, and are alternately provided at intervals from the position detecting portion.

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