Pressure detection device

Abstract

A pressure sensor provided in a pressure detection device is provided with a substrate, a first circuit formation layer, a sensor layer, and a second circuit formation layer, which are stacked in this order. The first circuit forming layer has a first surface, a plurality of first detection electrodes, and a plurality of first individual detection regions. The second circuit forming layer has a second surface, a plurality of second detection electrodes, and a plurality of second individual detection regions. The plurality of first detection electrodes and the plurality of second detection electrodes are arranged in a first direction and a second direction, and the first detection electrodes and the second detection electrodes are configured to be staggered from each other in the first direction and the second direction when viewed from a third direction crossing the first direction and the second direction. When viewed from the third direction, one second individual detection area is configured across the plurality of first individual detection areas. A part of the first individual detection region and a part of the second individual detection region, which overlap each other in the third direction, are used as synthetic individual detection regions, and a load is calculated for each synthetic individual detection region.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a pressure detection device. Background Art

[0002] The pressure detection device includes a pressure sensor to which pressure is input and a drive control unit that controls the drive of the pressure sensor. The pressure sensor of the following patent document includes a circuit forming layer provided with a plurality of inspection electrodes, a common electrode opposite to the detection electrode, and a sensor layer sandwiched between the detection electrode and the common electrode. In a state where no pressure is input to the pressure sensor, the sensor layer is separated from the detection electrode. When pressure is input to the pressure sensor, the sensor layer moves toward the detection electrode and contacts the detection electrode. As a result, current flows from the common electrode to the detection electrode to detect the input of pressure. In this way, the pressure sensor is able to detect pressure corresponding to each detection electrode. In other words, the detection area of ​​the pressure sensor is divided into separate detection areas of the same number as the detection electrodes.

[0003] Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-146489.

[0004] In recent years, there has been a demand for the development of a pressure detection device that further subdivides the pressure detection range (individual detection regions). Summary of the invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a pressure detection device that can subdivide the range (area) of the detection pressure.

[0006] A pressure detection device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a pressure sensor to which a load is input. The pressure sensor includes a substrate, a first circuit forming layer, a sensor layer, and a second circuit forming layer which are overlapped in sequence. The first circuit forming layer includes: a first surface opposite to the sensor layer; a plurality of first detection electrodes arranged on the first surface; and a plurality of first individual detection regions divided corresponding to the plurality of first detection electrodes. The second circuit forming layer includes: a second surface opposite to the sensor layer; a detection surface facing the opposite direction of the second surface and to which the load is input; a plurality of second detection electrodes arranged on the second surface; and a plurality of second individual detection regions divided corresponding to the plurality of second detection electrodes. The plurality of first detection electrodes are arranged in a first direction and a second direction, the first direction being parallel to the detection surface, and the second direction being parallel to the detection surface and intersecting the first direction. The plurality of second detection electrodes are arranged in the first direction and the second direction. When viewed from a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, the first detection electrode and the second detection electrode are arranged to be staggered in each of the first direction and the second direction. When viewed from the third direction, one second individual detection region is arranged to span across a plurality of first individual detection regions. A portion of the first individual detection region and a portion of the second individual detection region overlapping each other in the third direction are regarded as a combined individual detection region, and a load is calculated for each of the combined individual detection regions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 It is a perspective view schematically showing a pressure detection device according to an embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a cross section of a pressure sensor.

[0009] Figure 3 1 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration of a first circuit forming layer according to an embodiment.

[0010] Figure 4 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a load is input to a detection surface of the pressure sensor according to the embodiment.

[0011] Figure 5 It is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a pressure detection device according to an embodiment.

[0012] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of extracting and enlarging a portion of the first detection area and a portion of the second detection area.

[0013] Figure 7It is a diagram for explaining pressure values ​​detected in the first individual detection region and the second individual detection region respectively and a calculated pressure value of the combined individual detection region.

[0014] Figure 8 It is a timing chart of the operation of the pressure detection device in the embodiment.

[0015] Description of Reference Numerals

[0016] 1: pressure sensor; 2A: first detection area; 2B: second detection area; 3A: first peripheral area; 3B: second peripheral area; 4A: first individual detection area; 4B: second individual detection area; 5: synthesized individual detection area; 6: substrate; 10: first circuit forming layer; 11: first surface; 12: first detection electrode; 18: common electrode; 20: sensor layer; 30: second circuit forming layer; 31: second surface; 32: second detection electrode; 38: second common electrode; 80: control substrate; 81: control circuit; 82: power supply circuit; 83: drive control unit; 84: timing control unit; 85: first drive control unit; 86: second drive control unit; 87: data synthesis unit; 100: pressure detection device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The method (implementation mode) for implementing the pressure detection device disclosed in the present invention is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention disclosed in the present invention is not limited by the contents described in the following implementation modes. In addition, the constituent elements described below include elements that can be easily thought of by those skilled in the art and substantially the same elements. Moreover, the constituent elements described below can be appropriately combined. It should be noted that the disclosure is only an example, and appropriate changes that can be easily thought of by those skilled in the art while maintaining the purpose of the invention are of course included in the scope of the present disclosure. In order to explain more clearly, there are cases where the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part are schematically shown compared with the actual form in the accompanying drawings, but this is only an example and does not limit the interpretation of the present invention. In addition, in this specification and each figure, the same figure mark is sometimes used for the same constituent elements as those described in the previous figures, and the detailed description is appropriately omitted.

[0018] Furthermore, in the present specification and claims, when expressing the manner in which another structure is arranged on top of a certain structure, when it is simply recorded as "on...", unless otherwise specified, it includes both the case in which the other structure is arranged directly above the certain structure in a manner of being in contact with the certain structure and the case in which the other structure is arranged above the certain structure with another structure interposed therebetween.

[0019] Figure 1 FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a pressure detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the pressure detection device 100 includes a pressure sensor 1 and a control substrate 80 for controlling the operation (drive) of the pressure sensor 1. One side of the pressure sensor 1 is a detection surface 1a for detecting pressure. The pressure sensor 1 has a small thickness in a direction perpendicular to the detection surface 1a and is formed in a plate shape. A control circuit 81 and a power supply circuit 82 are provided on the control substrate 80. The control substrate 80 is connected to a host 90. The host 90 is a higher-level control device for controlling the pressure detection device 100. Each configuration is described below.

[0020] Figure 2 Schematic diagram schematically showing a cross section of a pressure sensor. Figure 2 As shown, the pressure sensor 1 includes a substrate 6, a first circuit forming layer 10, a sensor layer 20, a second circuit forming layer 30, and a protective layer 40 arranged in sequence. Hereinafter, the direction in which the substrate 6, the first circuit forming layer 10, the sensor layer 20, the second circuit forming layer 30, and the protective layer 40 overlap is referred to as a stacking direction. It should be noted that the stacking direction is sometimes referred to as a third direction. The direction in which the second circuit forming layer 30 is arranged when viewed from the first circuit forming layer 10 in the stacking direction is referred to as a first stacking direction Z1. The opposite direction to the first stacking direction Z1 is referred to as a second stacking direction Z2. Observation from the first stacking direction Z1 is referred to as a top view.

[0021] The substrate 6 is a base material that supports the first circuit forming layer 10 and is made of a material that is difficult to deform even when a load is applied. In addition, the substrate 6 has insulating properties. For example, the substrate 6 is formed of a glass substrate, a resin substrate, or the like.

[0022] The first circuit forming layer 10 is stacked on the substrate 6 and integrated with the substrate 6. Although not specifically shown in the figure, the first circuit forming layer 10 is a stacked structure in which a plurality of insulating layers are stacked. Figure 1 As shown, in a plan view, the first circuit forming layer 10 is divided into a first detection area 2A for detecting pressure and a first peripheral area 3A for not detecting pressure. The first detection area 2A is located in the center of the first circuit forming layer 10. The first peripheral area 3A is a frame surrounding the outside of the first detection area 2A.

[0023] The first detection area 2A is formed to be rectangular when viewed from above. The outer frame 2M of the first detection area 2A has a pair of short sides 2a and a pair of long sides 2b. Hereinafter, the direction parallel to the detection surface 1a and parallel to the short side 2a is referred to as the first direction X. The direction parallel to the detection surface 1a and parallel to the long side 2b, in other words, the direction orthogonal (intersecting) to the first direction X is referred to as the second direction Y. In addition, the above-mentioned stacking direction (third direction) is a direction orthogonal (intersecting) to the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0024] like Figure 2 As shown, the first circuit forming layer 10 has a first surface 11 facing the first stacking direction Z1. A plurality of first detection electrodes 12 and a plurality of first common electrodes 18 are provided on the first surface 11.

[0025] The first detection electrode 12 is an electrode for detecting pressure, and is made of a metal material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide). Figure 1 As shown, the first detection electrode 12 is formed into a rectangular shape when viewed from above. A plurality of first detection electrodes 12 are arranged in the first detection area 2A. In addition, a plurality of first detection electrodes 12 are arranged in the first direction X and the second direction Y. Therefore, in the first circuit forming layer 10, it is possible to detect pressure in each area in which the first detection area 2A is divided into the first direction X and the second direction Y. The divided area is referred to as a first separate detection area 4A. Therefore, the first detection area 2A is composed of a plurality of first separate detection areas 4A arranged in the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0026] like Figure 2 As shown, a plurality of first driving transistors 13 are provided inside the first circuit forming layer 10. The first driving transistors 13 are provided one by one for each first individual detection region 4A. Therefore, the plurality of first driving transistors 13 are arranged in the first direction X and the second direction Y corresponding to the first individual detection region 4A.

[0027] In addition, the first circuit forming layer 10 includes various components for driving the first driving transistor 13. Specifically, the first circuit forming layer 10 includes a first connecting portion 7 (see Figure 1 )、First gate line driving circuit 8 (refer to Figure 1 )、First signal line selection circuit 9 (refer to Figure 1 ), the first gate line 14 (refer to Figure 3 ) and the first signal line 15 (refer to Figure 3 ).

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, the first connection part 7, the first gate line driving circuit 8 and the first signal line selection circuit 9 are arranged in the first peripheral area 3A. The first connection part 7 is used to connect to the control substrate 80, for example, a flexible printed substrate or a rigid substrate.

[0029] The first gate line driving circuit 8 drives the plurality of first gate lines 14 based on various control signals supplied from the control circuit 81 (see Figure 3 ) circuit. The first gate line drive circuit 8 sequentially selects a plurality of first gate lines 14 and supplies a gate drive signal to the selected first gate lines 14. The first signal line selection circuit 9 sequentially or simultaneously selects a plurality of first signal lines 15 (see Figure 3 ). The first signal line selection circuit 9 is, for example, a multiplexer. The first signal line selection circuit 9 connects the selected first signal line 15 and the control circuit 81 based on a selection signal supplied from the control circuit 81.

[0030] Figure 3 1 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration of a first circuit forming layer according to an embodiment. Figure 3 As shown, the first gate line 14 extends in the first detection area 2A in the first direction X. In addition, a plurality of first gate lines 14 are arranged in the second direction Y. The first signal line 15 extends in the first detection area 2A in the second direction Y. In addition, a plurality of first signal lines 15 are arranged in the first direction X.

[0031] In addition, although not particularly shown, a first common wiring is provided in the first peripheral region 3A of the first circuit forming layer 10. The first common wiring is a wiring for supplying current to the first common electrode 18. The first common wiring is connected to the control substrate 80 via the first connecting portion 7, and a constant amount of current is supplied from the control circuit 81.

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, the first driving transistor 13 includes a semiconductor layer 13a, a gate insulating film 13b, a gate electrode 13c, a drain electrode 13d, and a source electrode 13e. The source electrode 13e is connected to the first detection electrode 12. The gate electrode 13c is connected to the first gate line 14 (see Figure 3 ) is connected. The drain electrode 13d is connected to the first signal line 15 (see Figure 3 ) is connected. When the first gate line 14 is scanned, the first driving transistor 13 is closed (becomes conductive). As a result, the electrical signal (current) input to the first detection electrode 12 is output to the first signal line 15 via the first driving transistor 13. In addition, the electrical signal (current) is transmitted from the first signal line 15 to the control circuit 81.

[0033] The first common electrode 18 is provided one by one for each first individual detection region 4A. In addition, the first common electrode 18 is separated from the first detection electrode 12. The first common electrode 18 is connected to the first common wiring (not shown) through a wiring (not shown) buried closer to the second stacking direction Z2 with respect to the first surface 11 of the first circuit forming layer 10, and a constant amount of current is supplied.

[0034] The sensor layer 20 is formed in a plate shape and extends in the first direction X and the second direction Y. The sensor layer 20 has a first sensor surface 21 facing the first stacking direction Z1 and a second sensor surface 22 facing the second stacking direction Z2. The second sensor surface 22 covers the first circuit formation layer 10 from the first stacking direction Z1 and contacts the first detection electrode 12 and the first common electrode 18, respectively.

[0035] The sensor layer 20 is made of a material containing conductive microparticles inside a highly insulating resin layer. The conductive microparticles are dispersed inside the resin layer and separated from each other. Therefore, when the resin layer is not deformed, the resistance value of the sensor layer 20 is high. Therefore, although the sensor layer 20 is in contact with the first detection electrode 12 and the first common electrode 18 respectively, the first detection electrode 12 and the first common electrode 18 are not electrically connected. On the other hand, when the resin layer is deformed, the microparticles are in contact or close to each other, and the resistance value of the sensor layer 20 becomes smaller. In addition, when the deformation amount of the resin layer becomes larger, the amount of contact between the microparticles increases, and the resistance value of the sensor layer 20 is greatly reduced. Therefore, when the sensor layer 20 is deformed, the first detection electrode 12 and the first common electrode 18 are electrically connected.

[0036] Next, the second circuit forming layer 30 will be described. However, the second circuit forming layer 30 has the same technical elements as the first circuit forming layer 10. Therefore, in the description of the second circuit forming layer 30, the description of the common technical elements is simplified.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, in a plan view, the second circuit forming layer 30 is divided into a second detection area 2B for detecting pressure and a second peripheral area 3B for not detecting pressure. The second detection area 2B is located in the center of the second circuit forming layer 30 .

[0038] The second detection area 2B is formed into the same rectangular shape as the first detection area 2A and has the same size as the first detection area 2A. However, the second detection area 2B is configured to be slightly offset relative to the first detection area 2A in the first direction X and the second direction Y. That is, when viewed from above, the outer frame 2M of the first detection area 2A and the outer frame 2N of the second detection area 2B are inconsistent. The positional relationship between the first detection area 2A and the second detection area 2B will be described later. The second peripheral area 3B is a frame-shaped area surrounding the second detection area 2B.

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, the second circuit forming layer 30 has a second surface 31 facing the second stacking direction Z2. A plurality of second detection electrodes 32 and a plurality of second common electrodes 38 are provided on the second surface 31. Figure 1As shown, the second detection electrode 32 is formed into a rectangular shape when viewed from above, and has the same size as the first detection electrode 12. A plurality of second detection electrodes 32 are arranged in the second detection area 2B. In addition, the plurality of second detection electrodes 32 are arranged in the first direction X and the second direction Y. Therefore, the second detection area 2B is composed of a plurality of second individual detection areas 4B arranged in the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0040] like Figure 2 As shown, a plurality of second driving transistors 33 are provided inside the second circuit forming layer 30. The second driving transistors 33 are provided one by one with respect to one second individual detection region 4B. In addition, although not particularly shown, the second circuit forming layer 30 has a second connection portion, a second gate line driving circuit, a second signal line selection circuit, a second gate line, and a second signal line for driving the second driving transistor 33.

[0041] The second common electrodes 38 are arranged one by one with respect to one second individual detection area 4B. The second common electrodes 38 are separated from the second detection electrodes 32. The second common electrodes 38 are connected to the second common wiring (not shown) through the wiring (not shown) buried in the second circuit forming layer 30. It should be noted that the second common wiring is arranged in the second peripheral area 3B of the second circuit forming layer 30. The second common wiring is connected to the control substrate 80 via the second connecting portion, and a constant amount of current is supplied from the control circuit 81. Therefore, a constant amount of current is supplied to the second common electrode 38. In addition, the first sensor surface 21 of the sensor layer 20 covers the second circuit forming layer 30 from the second stacking direction Z2, and contacts the second detection electrode 32 and the second common electrode 38 respectively.

[0042] The protective layer 40 is formed of an elastically deformable and insulating material such as rubber or resin. In addition, the surface of the protective layer 40 facing the first stacking direction Z1 becomes the detection surface 1a. It should be noted that in the present disclosure, the protective layer 40 is not a necessary component. In other words, the surface of the second circuit forming layer 30 facing the first stacking direction Z1 may not constitute the detection surface 1a.

[0043] Figure 4 Schematic diagram showing a state where a load is input to the detection surface of the pressure sensor of the embodiment. Figure 4 The dotted line 1a shown in FIG. 1 shows the position of the detection surface 1a before the pressure is input. Next, the case where a load is input to the pressure sensor 1 is described. Figure 4 As shown, when pressure is input on the detection surface 1a (load in the second stacking direction Z2, refer to Figure 4When the load is transmitted to the sensor layer 20 via the protective layer 40 and the second circuit forming layer 30, the first sensor surface 21 of the sensor layer 20 is recessed in the second stacking direction Z2, and the thickness of the sensor layer 20 in the stacking direction becomes smaller.

[0044] As a result, the resistance value of the sensor layer 20 decreases, and the first detection electrode 12 is electrically connected to the first common electrode 18. In addition, the current flows from the first common electrode 18 to the first detection electrode 12 (see arrow A2). The current flowing to the first detection electrode 12 is transmitted to the control circuit 81 via the first signal line 15. In addition, the second detection electrode 32 is also electrically connected to the second common electrode 38, and the current flows from the second common electrode 38 to the second detection electrode 32 (see arrow A3). The current flowing to the second detection electrode 32 is transmitted to the control circuit 81 via the second signal line (not shown).

[0045] As can be seen from the above description, when pressure is input to the detection surface 1a, the pressure is detected in the first circuit formation layer 10 and the second circuit formation layer 30. In addition, when the pressure (see arrow A1) increases, the deformation amount of the sensor layer 20 increases, and the decrease amount of the resistance value of the sensor layer 20 increases. Therefore, by measuring the current value flowing to the first detection electrode 12 and the second detection electrode 32, the magnitude of the input pressure can be detected.

[0046] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the control circuit 81 provided on the control substrate 80 is a control IC (Control Integrated Circuit). A power supply circuit 82 supplies power to the control circuit 81 . Thus, the control circuit 81 can generate a signal to be supplied to the pressure sensor 1 .

[0047] Figure 5 81 and the power supply circuit 82 constitute a drive control unit 83. The drive control unit 83 includes a timing control unit 84, a first drive control unit 85, a second drive control unit 86, and a data synthesis unit 87.

[0048] The timing control unit 84 receives the pressure detection command from the host 90 and issues a sensing command to the first drive control unit 85 and the second drive control unit 86. The timing control unit 84 shifts the timing of the sensing command to the first drive control unit 85 and the timing of the sensing command to the second drive control unit 86.

[0049] The first drive control unit 85 receives the sensing command and supplies a drive signal to the first gate line drive circuit 8 and the first signal line selection circuit 9. Thus, the first circuit forming layer 10 detects the pressure input to the first individual detection area 4A. The first drive control unit 85 receives the detection result (pressure value (current value) of each first individual detection area 4A) of the first circuit forming layer 10 and transmits it to the data synthesis unit 87.

[0050] The second drive control unit 86 supplies a drive signal to the second gate drive circuit (not shown) and the second signal line selection circuit (not shown) when receiving the sensing command. Thus, the second circuit forming layer 30 detects the pressure input to the second individual detection area 4B. In addition, the second drive control unit 86 receives the detection result (pressure value (current value) of each second individual detection area 4B) of the second circuit forming layer 30 and transmits it to the data synthesis unit 87.

[0051] The data synthesis unit 87 synthesizes the pressure value of the first individual detection area 4A and the pressure value of the second individual detection area 4B. The synthesis method of the data synthesis unit 87 will be described later. In addition, the data synthesis unit 87 supplies the synthesis result to the host 90. It should be noted that the synthesis result refers to the pressure value of each synthesized individual detection area 5 described later.

[0052] Next, the positional relationship between the first detection area 2A and the second detection area 2B will be described in detail. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of extracting and enlarging a portion of the first detection area and a portion of the second detection area. Figure 6 and Figure 7 In order to easily distinguish the first detection electrode 12 from the second detection electrode 32, a dot is marked on the second detection electrode 32. Figure 6 As shown, the first detection electrodes 12 and the second detection electrodes 32 are offset from each other in the first direction X and the second direction Y when viewed from above.

[0053] More specifically, the distance between the centers O12 of the first detection electrodes 12 adjacent in the first direction X and the second direction Y is L11. It should be noted that the distance L12 between the centers O32 of the second detection electrodes 32 is also the same as the distance L11. The distance L13 between the center O12 and the center O32 in the first direction X is half of the distance L11. Therefore, the second detection electrode 32 is arranged in the middle of the two first detection electrodes 12 adjacent in the first direction X. In addition, the distance L14 between the center O12 and the center O32 in the second direction Y is the same as the distance L13, which is half of the distance L11. Therefore, the second detection electrode 32 is arranged in the middle of the two first detection electrodes 12 adjacent in the second direction Y.

[0054] In the case of a plan view, one second individual detection area 4B spans four (plural) first individual detection areas 4A. In other words, a portion of the first individual detection area 4A divided into four parts overlaps with a portion of the second individual detection area 4B divided into four parts. Hereinafter, the area where a portion of the first individual detection area 4A divided into four parts overlaps with a portion of the second individual detection area 4B divided into four parts is referred to as a combined individual detection area 5 (see Figure 6 area marked with slashes).

[0055] As can be seen from the above description, the first detection area 2A and the second detection area 2B are arranged to be offset from each other by one synthesized individual detection area 5 in the first direction X and the second direction Y. Next, an example of a synthesis method (a method for calculating the pressure value of the synthesized individual detection area 5) of the data synthesis unit 87 is described.

[0056] Figure 7 It is a diagram for explaining pressure values ​​detected in the first individual detection region and the second individual detection region respectively and a calculated pressure value of the combined individual detection region. Figure 7 The numerical value shown is a pressure value. In addition, the numerical value of the pressure value of the synthesized individual detection area 5 is underlined. The data synthesis unit 87 of the embodiment adds the pressure values ​​detected in the first individual detection area 4A and the second individual detection area 4B overlapping the synthesized individual detection area 5, respectively, as the pressure value detected in the synthesized individual detection area 5.

[0057] For example, the pressure value detected in the first individual detection area 4A is set to "30" (refer to Figure 7 The pressure value detected in the second individual detection area 4B is set to "40" (refer to Figure 7 In this case, the data synthesis unit 87 adds the pressure value "30" and the pressure value "40" to obtain the value "70" as the pressure value detected in the synthesized individual detection area 5. The pressure value of each synthesized individual detection area 5 is calculated in this way.

[0058] Furthermore, the timing control unit 84 of the present embodiment shifts the timing of the sensing command to the first drive control unit 85 and the timing of the sensing command to the second drive control unit 86. Next, this effect will be described.

[0059] Figure 8: is a timing diagram of the operation of the pressure detection device in the embodiment. It should be noted that, in the first circuit forming layer 10 of the present embodiment, the number of first gate lines 14 arranged in the second direction Y is N. In addition, in the second circuit forming layer 30, the number of second gate lines (not shown) arranged in the second direction Y is K. In addition, the number N of the first gate lines 14 and the number K of the second gate lines are the same number (N=K).

[0060] Furthermore, during sensing, the first gate line driving circuit 8 of the first circuit forming layer 10 is sequentially selected from the first gate line 14 of the first row arranged at one end of the second direction Y toward the first gate line 14 of the Nth row arranged at the other end of the second direction Y. Similarly, the second gate line driving circuit (not shown) of the second circuit forming layer 30 is sequentially selected from the second gate line (not shown) of the first row arranged at one end of the second direction Y toward the second gate line (not shown) of the Kth row arranged at the other end of the second direction Y.

[0061] like Figure 8 As shown, the timing control unit 84 issues sensing commands to the first drive control unit 85 at times T1, T3, and T5. On the other hand, the timing control unit 84 issues sensing commands to the second drive control unit 86 at times T2, T4, and T6, and the times T are staggered.

[0062] It should be noted that in the present embodiment, an example is given in which the timing control unit 84 performs a total of three sensing instructions, namely, the first sensing instruction, the second sensing instruction, and the third sensing instruction, on the first drive control unit 85 and the second drive control unit 86. Thus, the change of pressure over time can be detected. However, in the present disclosure, it is not necessary to perform multiple sensing.

[0063] Here, at time T2, the first sensing instruction is issued to the second drive control unit 86. This time T2 is a time when half of the time involved in the first sensing of the first circuit forming layer 10 has passed. That is, at the time point of time T2, the second circuit forming layer 30 scans the second gate line (not shown) of the first row, but the first circuit forming layer 10 scans the first gate line 14 of the N / 2th row. Therefore, in the first circuit forming layer 10 and the second circuit forming layer 30, the scanning positions are offset in the second direction Y.

[0064] Similarly, at time T3, the first circuit forming layer 10 scans the first gate line 14 of the first row according to the second sensing instruction, but the second circuit forming layer 30 scans the second gate line of the K / 2th row (not shown). Therefore, in the first circuit forming layer 10 and the second circuit forming layer 30, the scanning positions are offset in the second direction Y.

[0065] As can be seen from the above description, the current is suppressed from flowing from the first common electrode 18 of the first circuit forming layer 10 to the second detection electrode 32 of the second circuit forming layer 30, or the current is suppressed from flowing from the second common electrode 38 of the second circuit forming layer 30 to the first detection electrode 12 of the first circuit forming layer 10. In other words, the reliability of the sensing result is improved.

[0066] As can be seen from the above description, according to the embodiment, the applied pressure value can be calculated for each synthetic individual detection area 5. The size of the synthetic individual detection area 5 is one-fourth of the previous individual detection areas (the first individual detection area and the second individual detection area). Therefore, according to the pressure detection device 100 of the embodiment, the subdivision of the range (area) of the detection pressure is achieved. In addition, in the past, the detection electrodes and the detection range (individual detection areas) were the same number, but the number of synthetic individual detection areas 5 of the present embodiment is more than the number of detection electrodes (the first detection electrode 12 and the second detection electrode 32). Therefore, the number of detection electrodes can be reduced.

[0067] In the pressure sensor 1 of the embodiment, the first circuit forming layer 10 and the second circuit forming layer 30 share one sensor layer 20. Therefore, there is a possibility that current flows from the first common electrode 18 of the first circuit forming layer 10 to the second detection electrode 32 of the second circuit forming layer 30, or that current flows from the second common electrode 38 of the second circuit forming layer 30 to the first detection electrode 12 of the first circuit forming layer 10. However, in the present embodiment, the timing of the sensing instructions for the first circuit forming layer 10 and the second circuit forming layer 30 is staggered. Therefore, there is no situation in which current flows from the first common electrode 18 of the first circuit forming layer 10 to the second detection electrode 32 of the second circuit forming layer 30, or current flows from the second common electrode 38 of the second circuit forming layer 30 to the first detection electrode 12 of the first circuit forming layer 10.

[0068] The pressure detection device 100 of the embodiment has been described above, but the present disclosure is not limited to the example shown in the embodiment. For example, the data synthesis unit 87 of the embodiment only adds the pressure value detected in the first individual detection area 4A and the pressure value detected in the second individual detection area 4B as the pressure value of the synthesized individual detection area 5, but the present disclosure is not limited to this synthesis method. The present disclosure can also use the average value of the pressure value detected in the first individual detection area 4A and the pressure value detected in the second individual detection area 4B as the pressure value of the synthesized individual detection area 5.

[0069] In the present embodiment, the sensing command for the second circuit formation layer 30 is issued after half of the time for the first sensing of the first circuit formation layer 10 has elapsed (times T2, T4, and T6), but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0070] In addition, when the distance between the first common electrode 18 and the second detection electrode 32 and the distance between the second common electrode 38 and the first detection electrode 12 are relatively large, in other words, when the possibility of current flowing from the first common electrode 18 to the second detection electrode 32 or from the second common electrode 38 to the first detection electrode 12 is low, the sensing of the first circuit forming layer 10 and the sensing of the second circuit forming layer 30 may be performed simultaneously. In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the first circuit forming layer 10 and the second circuit forming layer 30 having substantially the same detection area size are used, but a configuration in which the detection area of ​​one side is smaller than the detection area of ​​the other side may be used. More specifically, a configuration as described below may be used: the first detection area 2A formed by the first circuit forming layer 10 is formed to be slightly smaller than the second detection area 2B formed by the second circuit forming layer 30, and the first detection area 2A is included in the second detection area 2B when viewed from above. It should be noted that in this case, the detection electrodes of any circuit forming layer have the same size, and the number of gate lines, signal lines, and detection electrodes of the first circuit forming layer 10 is less than that of the second circuit forming layer 30. The first circuit forming layer 10 may have a configuration in which only the number of gate lines or signal lines is reduced or increased relative to the second circuit forming layer 30 to make the first detection region 2A and the second detection region 2B different in size.

[0071] In addition, the sensor layer 20 of the embodiment is made of a material containing conductive microparticles inside a resin layer, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the sensor layer may be formed of a conductive resin, and the contact area between the detection electrode and the common electrode may be increased, thereby electrically connecting the detection electrode and the common electrode.

[0072] Furthermore, the second detection electrode 32 in the embodiment is disposed in the middle of the first detection electrode 12 , but in the present disclosure, the second detection electrode 32 may be offset from the middle of the first detection electrode 12 .

Claims

1. A pressure detection device, comprising: The pressure sensor is loaded. The pressure sensor includes a substrate, a first circuit forming layer, a sensor layer, and a second circuit forming layer stacked in sequence. The first circuit forming layer has: a first surface opposite to the sensor layer; a plurality of first detection electrodes disposed on the first surface; and A plurality of first individual detection areas are divided corresponding to the plurality of first detection electrodes, and the second circuit forming layer has: a second surface opposite to the sensor layer; a detection surface facing in a direction opposite to the second surface and to which the load is input; a plurality of second detection electrodes disposed on the second surface; as well as a plurality of second individual detection areas divided corresponding to the plurality of second detection electrodes, the plurality of first detection electrodes being arranged in a first direction and a second direction, the first direction being parallel to the detection surface, the second direction being parallel to the detection surface and intersecting the first direction, A plurality of the second detection electrodes are arranged in the first direction and the second direction, and when viewed from a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, the first detection electrodes and the second detection electrodes are staggered with each other in each direction of the first direction and the second direction. When viewed from the third direction, one of the second individual detection areas is configured to span across a plurality of the first individual detection areas, A portion of the first individual detection region and a portion of the second individual detection region overlapping each other in the third direction are regarded as a combined individual detection region, and a load is calculated for each of the combined individual detection regions.

2. The pressure detection device according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of second detection electrodes are arranged between two adjacent first detection electrodes in the first direction, and are arranged between two adjacent first detection electrodes in the second direction.

3. The pressure detection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The pressure detection device includes a drive control unit that controls the driving of each of the first circuit formation layer and the second circuit formation layer. The drive control unit calculates a pressure value of the combined individual detection area based on pressure values ​​detected from the first individual detection area and the second individual detection area that overlap with the combined individual detection area.

4. The pressure detection device according to claim 3, wherein: The drive control unit shifts the timing of detecting the pressure applied to the first circuit formation layer and the timing of detecting the pressure applied to the second circuit formation layer.

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