Position detection sensor and input device

Abstract

The invention provides a position detection sensor and an input device. The position detection sensor is provided with: a digital converter which is configured so as to be bendable in a bendable region and which has an electrode that is electromagnetically inductively coupled to the position indicator; a first electromagnetic sheet provided so as to cover a surface of the digital converter opposite to an input surface side on which instruction input by the position indicator is received; and a second electromagnetic sheet provided on a surface on the opposite side from the input surface so as to overlap the bendable region when the digitizer is deployed.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of an invention patent application with an international application date of September 28, 2020, an international application number of PCT / JP2020 / 036606, a national application number of 202080055031.0, and an invention name of “Position detection sensor and input device”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a bendable electromagnetic induction coupling position detection sensor and an input device. Background Art

[0003] For example, portable devices such as mobile phone terminals and portable computers have display elements (display elements) having display screens for displaying text and images, but recently, the display screens have become larger. However, the larger display screens lead to larger portable devices, which may impair portability.

[0004] Therefore, a portable device having a foldable housing using a bendable flexible display element has been proposed, and a device capable of maintaining a large display screen while maintaining the miniaturization of the portable device has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1 (Japanese National Publication No. 2017-510065)).

[0005] However, in recent portable devices, as an input device for receiving input operations performed by a user, a device having the following configuration is favored: a position detection sensor is arranged to overlap a display screen, and the position detection sensor detects the indicated position indicated by an electronic pen held by the user, thereby being able to receive various operation inputs through the display screen. In this case, as the position detection sensor, in addition to an electrostatic coupling type position detection sensor, any electromagnetic induction coupling type position detection sensor may be used. In the case of realizing more accurate position indication, an electromagnetic induction coupling type position detection sensor is used (for example, refer to Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-26235)).

[0006] Fig.11 A partial cross-sectional view of a portable device in which an electromagnetic induction coupling position detection sensor is provided so as to overlap with a display element is shown.

[0007] like Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 1 , in this example, a display element 102 is arranged on the upper surface side of a housing 101 of a portable device, and a position detection sensor 103 is arranged on the side opposite to the display screen 102D (the back side of the display element 102) superimposed on the display element 102. Fig.11 As shown, the position detection sensor 103 is composed of a digital converter section 104 and an electromagnetic sheet section 105 .

[0008] Although not shown in the figure, the digitizer unit 104 is formed by arranging a plurality of loop coils on a substrate in the horizontal direction (X direction) and the vertical direction (Y direction) of the display screen 102D.

[0009] The electromagnetic sheet 105 is arranged to cover the entire surface of the digitizer 104 opposite to the display element 102. The electromagnetic sheet 105 is called a magnetic path plate and is composed of a first layer 1051 constituting a magnetic path material and a second layer 1052 for electromagnetic shielding.

[0010] The first layer (magnetic path material layer) 1051 constituting the magnetic path material forms a magnetic path for the alternating magnetic field generated by the loop coil of the digitizer unit 104 with respect to the electromagnetic waves transmitted and received with the electronic pen of the electromagnetic induction coupling method, thereby preventing the generated magnetic flux from being diverged, thereby improving the detection sensitivity of the position detection sensor 103 of the electromagnetic induction coupling method with respect to the electronic pen. In addition, the second layer (electromagnetic shielding layer) 1052 for electromagnetic shielding has the function of preventing the alternating magnetic field from being radiated to the outside of the lower side (the side opposite to the display screen 102D side) of the position detection sensor 103 of the electromagnetic induction coupling method, and is used to prevent the external electromagnetic waves from the lower side from being mixed as noise into the electromagnetic waves transmitted and received with the electronic pen.

[0011] As the first layer 1051, a magnetic material having high magnetic permeability is used, and the second layer 1052 is made of a metal material which is a non-magnetic body and has high electrical conductivity, for example, a metal sheet made of aluminum or the like.

[0012] Prior art literature

[0013] Patent Literature

[0014] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-510065

[0015] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-26235 Summary of the invention

[0016] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0017] The electromagnetic induction coupling position detection sensor 103 can be folded by using a flexible substrate as the substrate of the digitizer unit 104. Therefore, by combining a flexible display element such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1 with a foldable position detection sensor, a portable device having an input device capable of receiving position indication by an electronic pen can be considered to be foldable.

[0018] In a portable device having such an input device, the entire one side of the shell when changing from a folded state to a fully unfolded state can be set as a display screen of a flexible display element, a display screen that is twice the size of that in the folded state can be formed, and the same area as the display screen can be used as a detection area to detect position indications made by an electronic pen.

[0019] However, it has been found that when the portable device is configured to be foldable as described above, the following problems may occur.

[0020] That is, in the above-mentioned portable device, the folded state and the unfolded state are frequently repeated. Therefore, it has been found that in the position detection sensor 103, as shown in FIG. Fig.12 As shown, the repetition of the folding causes degradation in the bent portion 103a. In particular, it is found that the degradation of the metal sheet portion of the second layer 1052 of the electromagnetic sheet portion 105 is greater.

[0021] Then, it was found that a problem occurred in that the level of electromagnetic coupling energy between the position detection sensor 103 and the electronic pen changed locally at the bent portion 103 a where the degradation occurred.

[0022] Fig.13 1 is a characteristic diagram showing the electromagnetic coupling level between the plurality of loop coils in the X direction of the position detection sensor 103 and the electronic pen. Fig.13 As shown, when no signal is generated in the position detection sensor 103 Fig.12 When the bent portion shown is degraded, the electromagnetic coupling levels between the plurality of loop coils in the X direction and the electronic pen are substantially uniform, as shown by a single-dot chain line characteristic curve 108 a .

[0023] In contrast, it has been found that when a Fig.12 When the bent portion 103a shown deteriorates, as shown by the solid line characteristic curve 108b, the electromagnetic coupling level between the X-direction loop coil in the region of the bent portion 103a of the position detection sensor 103 and the electronic pen changes locally compared to the X-direction loop coils at other positions.

[0024] An object of the present invention is to provide a position detection sensor and an input device that can solve the above problems.

[0025] Technical solutions to solve problems

[0026] In order to solve the above problems, A position detection sensor is provided, characterized in that it has: a digitizer having electrodes for electromagnetic induction coupling with the position indicator; and The electromagnetic sheets are multiple electromagnetic sheets arranged to cover the surface of the digital converter opposite to the input surface side that receives the indication input by the position indicator, and are separated from each other at the bending position of the digital converter. The electromagnetic sheets are configured to overlap each other at the bending position in a direction orthogonal to the input surface of the digital converter when the digital converter is unfolded.

[0027] in addition, An input device is provided, comprising: Electromagnetic induction coupling type position detection sensor; and The housing member includes a hinge portion for allowing the position detection sensor to be deformed into a folded state and an unfolded state from the folded state. The input device is characterized in that The position detection sensor comprises: The electromagnetic sheets are multiple electromagnetic sheets arranged to cover the surface of the digital converter opposite to the input surface side that receives the indication input by the position indicator, and are separated from each other at the bending position of the digital converter. The electromagnetic sheets are configured to overlap each other at the bending position in a direction orthogonal to the input surface of the digital converter when the digital converter is unfolded.

[0028] In the position detection sensor having the above structure and the input device having the position detection sensor, the electromagnetic sheet is divided into a plurality of electromagnetic sheets separated at the bent portion when folded, so that the bending stress generated by folding at the bent portion is reduced, and the deterioration caused by repeated folding can be reduced.

[0029] Then, even if the electromagnetic sheet is divided into multiple electromagnetic sheets, since it is constructed so that when the position detection sensor is in the unfolded state when it is in use, the electromagnetic sheets overlap each other at the bent position, electromagnetic shielding can be ensured at the separated parts of the electromagnetic sheets, and local changes in the electromagnetic coupling strength with the electronic pen can be prevented. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 This is a diagram for explaining an outline of a configuration example of a portable device including an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2 It is an exploded structural diagram for explaining a structural example of an embodiment of the input device of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 3 It is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a main part of an embodiment of an input device according to the present invention.

[0033] Figure 4It is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a main part of an embodiment of an input device according to the present invention.

[0034] Figure 5 It is a diagram for explaining another embodiment of the position detection sensor of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 6 It is a diagram for explaining another embodiment of the position detection sensor of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 7 This is a diagram for explaining another example of a portable device including an embodiment of the input device of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 8 It is used to illustrate Figure 7 A diagram showing an example of the configuration of main parts of a portable device of the example.

[0038] Fig. 9 It is a diagram for explaining another embodiment of the position detection sensor of the present invention.

[0039] Fig.10 It is used to illustrate Fig. 9 A diagram showing an example of the configuration of main parts of a portable device of the example.

[0040] Fig.11 This is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a conventional position detection sensor.

[0041] Fig.12 It is a figure for demonstrating the subject of this invention.

[0042] Fig.13 It is a figure for demonstrating the subject of this invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a position detection sensor of the present invention and an embodiment of an input device using the embodiment of the position detection sensor will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description is an example of a case where the functions of the embodiment of the input device are mounted on a portable device having a foldable structure using a flexible display element.

[0044] Figure 1 1 is a diagram for explaining the structure of a portable device having the function of an embodiment of an input device of the present invention. The portable device 1 of this example has a flexible display element and has the function of an input device using a foldable electromagnetic induction coupling position detection sensor. Figure 1 The portable device 1 of the example can also be folded toward the display screen side of the flexible display element (folded inward).

[0045] Figure 1(A) shows a state where the portable device 1 of this example is fully unfolded. Figure 1 (B) shows the folded state. Then, Figure 1 (C) shows an example of a hinge structure for making the portable device 1 of this example into a foldable structure. In the portable device 1 of this example, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 In the unfolded state shown in (A), the display screen 3P of the flexible display element 3 is exposed. When a position indicated by the electronic pen 10 of the electromagnetic induction coupling method is generated on the display screen 3P, the position indicated by the electronic pen 10 is detected by the position detection sensor 4 of the electromagnetic induction coupling method provided at the lower part (back side) thereof.

[0046] Then, in this embodiment, the display area of ​​the display screen 3P and the position detection area of ​​the position detection sensor 4 are set to be approximately the same, the display screen 3P is set as an input surface for position indication by the electronic pen 10, and the position detection sensor 4 detects the indicated position of the electronic pen 10 in its entire area.

[0047] The housing (casing) 2 of the portable device 1 of this example has a structure in which a first frame member 21 and a second frame member 22 are foldably connected at hinges 23 and 24 .

[0048] like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the first frame member 21 and the second frame member 22 have walls 21b and 22b formed around the bottoms 21a and 22a in order to form a flat recessed portion for accommodating the flexible display element 3, the position detection sensor 4, and the electronic circuit portion (not shown) connected thereto. However, the wall 21b is not formed on the sides of the bottoms 21a and 22a of the first frame member 21 and the second frame member 22 that are opposite to each other on the hinge portions 23 and 24 side.

[0049] Therefore, keeping this in mind, Figure 1 In the folded state (B), the portion between the hinge 23 and the hinge 24 becomes an opening, and dust may be mixed in. Therefore, in this embodiment, a protective plate 25 is arranged between the hinge 23 and the hinge 24 (see Figure 1 (C)).

[0050] Then, a connecting holding portion (at the bottom 21a and 22a of the first frame member 21 and the second frame member 22) is provided on the sides facing each other on the hinge portions 23 and 24 sides. Figure 1 The illustration is omitted, please refer to the following Figure 3 and Figure 4 ), the coupling and holding portion couples and holds the protection plate 25 in a rotatable state when the first frame member 21 and the second frame member 22 are folded.

[0051] In the hinges 23 and 24 of the portable device 1 of this example, the first frame member 21 and the second frame member 22 are configured as a two-axis hinge structure that can rotate at different rotation axis positions. The hinge 23 and the hinge 24 have the same structure, so here, only the structure of the hinge 23 is described, and the description of the hinge 24 is omitted.

[0052] That is, at the end of the hinge portion 23 of the wall portion 21b of the first frame member 21, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown in (C), a through hole 21c is formed for engaging the rotation support shaft. In addition, similarly, at the end of the hinge portion 23 of the wall portion 22b of the second frame member 22, as shown in Figure 1 As shown in (C), a through hole 22c for fitting the rotation support shaft is formed.

[0053] Then, a hinge structure plate 231 is prepared in which a pin 231a and a pin 231b are formed to be inserted into the through hole 21c and the through hole 22c. In this case, the diameters of the pins 231a and 231b are smaller than the diameters of the through holes 21c and 22c. Then, the pins 231a and 231b of the hinge structure plate 231 are respectively inserted into the through hole 21c of the wall portion 21b of the first frame member 21 and the through hole 22c of the wall portion 22b of the second frame member 22, so that the first frame member 21 and the second frame member 22 are rotatably connected at the hinge portion 23 through the hinge structure plate 231. In this case, although not shown in the figure, a structure is configured such that a disengagement prevention member is fitted to the front end side of the pins 231a and 231b inserted into the through holes 21c and 22c to prevent the hinge structure plate 231 from being disengaged.

[0054] The hinge portion 24 is similarly configured, and a hinge structure plate 241 is attached to rotatably connect the first frame member 21 and the second frame member 22 at the hinge portion 24 .

[0055] As described above, in the portable device 1 of this embodiment, the first frame member 21 and the second frame member 22 are rotatably connected at the hinge portion 23 and the hinge portion 24, so that the housing 2 can be moved as shown in FIG. Figure 1 Fold as shown in (B).

[0056] [Configuration Example of Flexible Display Element 3 and Position Detection Sensor 4]

[0057] As described above, the housing 2 accommodates the flexible display element 3, the position detection sensor 4, and the electronic circuit portion connected thereto. Figure 2 It is an exploded structural diagram for explaining the flexible display element 3 and the position detection sensor 4 therein.

[0058] The flexible display element 3 is composed of, for example, an organic EL display (organic electro luminescence display) element, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), etc., and has a display screen 3P in which a plurality of display pixels are arranged in the X-axis direction (horizontal direction) and the Y-axis direction (vertical direction).

[0059] Below the flexible display element 3 (on the side opposite to the display screen 3P), an electromagnetic induction coupling type position detection sensor 4 is arranged in a state of overlapping with the flexible display element 3 .

[0060] The position detection sensor 4 is composed of a digital converter unit 41 and an electromagnetic sheet unit 42. The digital converter unit 41 is composed of a plurality of loop coils 41X in the X-axis direction and a plurality of loop coils 41Y in the Y-axis direction arranged on a flexible substrate 41F. Figure 2 In the example, a plurality of loop coils 41Y are arranged on the front side of the flexible substrate 41F, and a plurality of loop coils 41X are arranged on the back side. Then, the digitizer unit 41 is arranged on the surface of the flexible display element 3 opposite to the display screen 3P, for example, by adhesion.

[0061] In this example, as described above, the display area of ​​the display screen 3P of the flexible display element 3 and the position detection area of ​​the digitizer section 41 of the position detection sensor 4 are substantially the same size. Then, the digitizer section 41 uses the display screen 3P of the flexible display element 3 as an input surface for position indication by the electronic pen 10, and detects the indicated position of the electronic pen 10 on the input surface.

[0062] Then, for example, the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 is attached to the surface of the digitizer portion 41 on the opposite side to the attachment surface side (input surface side) to be attached to the flexible display element 3 .

[0063] In this embodiment, the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 is formed by laminating a magnetic path material layer portion 421 and an electromagnetic shielding layer portion 422. The magnetic path material layer portion 421 forms a magnetic path for the alternating magnetic field generated by the loop coils 41X and 41Y of the digitizer portion 41 with respect to the electromagnetic waves transmitted and received with the electronic pen 10, thereby preventing the generated magnetic flux from being diverged, thereby improving the detection sensitivity of the position detection sensor 4, which is an electromagnetic induction coupling type, with respect to the electronic pen 10. In addition, the electromagnetic shielding layer portion 422 has a function of preventing the alternating magnetic field from being radiated to the electronic circuit portion on the lower side of the position detection sensor 4 of the electromagnetic induction coupling type, and is used to prevent the electromagnetic waves from the electronic circuit portion on the lower side from being mixed as noise into the electromagnetic waves transmitted and received with the electronic pen 10.

[0064] The magnetic path material layer 421 is made of a magnetic material having high magnetic permeability, and in this example, is made of a mixture of a powder of a magnetic body having high magnetic permeability, such as a powder of an amorphous alloy, and a non-magnetic and non-conductive polymer material, in this example, a resin. The electromagnetic shielding layer 422 is made of a metal sheet made of a non-magnetic and highly conductive metal material, in this example, aluminum.

[0065] In this embodiment, the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 is used to prevent the flexible display element 3 and the digital converter portion 41 from Figure 2 The problem caused by the structure being foldable by bending at the bending positions indicated by the dotted lines 3F and 4F is as follows.

[0066] That is, the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 is not formed to cover the entire surface of the digitizer portion 41, but is divided into a first sheet portion 42A and a second sheet portion 42B that adhere to the digitizer portion 41 at a predetermined interval d at a bent position, and includes a third sheet portion 42C that is arranged to cover the predetermined interval d between the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B. That is, in this embodiment, the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 is divided into the first sheet portion 42A, the second sheet portion 42B, and the third sheet portion 42C.

[0067] The first sheet portion 42A is formed by Figure 2 The first part 4211 of the magnetic circuit material layer 421 located on the left side of the bending position and the first part 4221 of the electromagnetic shielding layer 422 located on the left side of the bending position are formed. Figure 2 The second portion 4212 of the magnetic path material layer portion 421 located on the right side of the bending position and the second portion 4222 of the electromagnetic shielding layer portion 422 located on the right side of the bending position are similarly constituted.

[0068] Then, the third sheet portion 42C is formed by adhering a magnetic path material layer portion 4213 and an electromagnetic shielding layer portion 4223 having a width greater than a predetermined interval d at the bending position, and adhering a spacing member 423 made of resin onto the magnetic path material layer portion 4213 .

[0069] In this embodiment, the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B are adhered to the digitizer portion 41 with a predetermined interval d therebetween. In this case, for example, the first portion 4211 and the second portion 4212 of the magnetic path material layer portion 421 are adhered to the surface of the digitizer portion 41 on the side opposite to the input surface side with a predetermined interval d therebetween. Thereafter, the first portion 4221 and the second portion 4222 of the electromagnetic shielding layer portion 422 are adhered to the first portion 4211 and the second portion 4212 of the magnetic path material layer portion 421 with a predetermined interval d therebetween, respectively.

[0070] In this case, the predetermined interval d is preferably a length corresponding to the portion bent on the curved surface due to the digitizer section 41 being bent by folding the housing, and in this example, is set to about 3 to 5 mm, for example. Here, the predetermined interval d does not need to be set to a length that does not cause a curved surface to be formed at all by bending at the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B, and only needs to be a length that can reduce the bending stress generated by bending at the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B due to the existence of the predetermined interval d. A curved surface can also be formed by bending at the portion near the predetermined interval d of the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B.

[0071] In this embodiment, the third sheet portion 42C is arranged in a state of being separated from the digitizer portion 41 and the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B of the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 without contact. In this embodiment, the third sheet portion 42C is attached to the protective plate 25 (on the surface opposite to the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 side) provided between the hinge portion 23 and the hinge portion 24 (see Figure 1 (C)).

[0072] Next, refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The structure near the bending position of the portable device 1 of this embodiment having the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 structured as described above is further described with reference to the cross-sectional view of FIG. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in the figure showing the portable device 1 in a folded state, and Figure 4 yes Figure 1 (A) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in the figure showing a state where the portable device 1 is completely unfolded.

[0073] like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, in the portable device 1 of this embodiment, at the edge between the bottom 21a of the first frame member 21 and the hinges 23 and 24, and at the edge between the bottom 22a of the second frame member 22 and the hinges 23 and 24, as described above, there are provided coupling and retaining portions 21d and 22d, which are used to couple and retain the protective plate 25 provided between the hinges 23 and 24 in a state where the protective plate 25 can be rotated relative to the protective plate 25 provided between the hinges 23 and 24 when the first frame member 21 and the second frame member 22 are folded.

[0074] On the other hand, Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the protection plate 25 is provided with claws 25a and 25b for rotatably connecting with the connecting and holding parts 21d and 22d. In addition, although not shown, the claws 25a and 25b are provided at more than two locations between the hinge 23 and the hinge 24.

[0075] Then, if Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the third sheet portion 42C of the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 is provided on the upper surface of the protective plate 25 on the side opposite to the flexible display element 3 and the position detection sensor 4. In this case, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the third sheet portion 42C is provided on the upper surface of the protection plate 25 so as to cover a gap 42g of the predetermined distance d at which the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B are separated at the bent position.

[0076] In this case, the third sheet portion 42C may also be in contact with the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B, but in this example, Figure 3 The folded state and Figure 4 In both the fully extended state and the fully expanded state, the third sheet portion 42C is separated in a direction perpendicular to the input surface of the digitizer unit 41 without contact, and no electrical contact or physical contact occurs. In this case, the separation distance between the third sheet portion 42C and the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B in a direction perpendicular to the input surface of the digitizer unit 41 (referred to as the sheet thickness direction separation distance) can be very small, for example, Figure 4 In the fully expanded state, the separation distance in the thickness direction of the sheet can also be about 0.1 mm.

[0077] Then, in this embodiment, in particular, the width of the third sheet portion 42C (the length in the direction orthogonal to the direction connecting the hinge portion 23 and the hinge portion 24) is larger than the predetermined interval d between the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B. Figure 4As shown, when the digitizer section 41 is in use, i.e., when the portable device 1 is unfolded, an overlap of a predetermined length Ov is generated between the third sheet portion 42C and the first sheet portion 42A and between the third sheet portion 42C and the first sheet portion 42A in a direction orthogonal to the input surface of the digitizer section 41. The predetermined length Ov of the overlap in this case is selected in accordance with the separation distance between the third sheet portion 42C and the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B. For example, in the case where the separation distance in the sheet thickness direction is about 0.1 mm, the predetermined length Ov of the overlap may be, for example, 2 to 3 mm or more. The predetermined length Ov of the overlap is set to a larger value as the separation distance in the sheet thickness direction increases.

[0078] In this case, according to Figure 3 and Figure 4 It can also be clearly understood that the first frame member 21 and the second frame member 22 are configured to rotate with the hinge 23 and the hinge 24 as the rotation support axis position, so that when the protective plate 25 is displaced between the folded state and the fully unfolded state, the third sheet portion 42C arranged on the upper surface of the protective plate 25 does not contact the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B formed on the back surface of the digitizer portion 41. Alternatively, they may be slightly in contact.

[0079] Then, in this embodiment, as described above, the third sheet portion 42C does not bend on the upper surface of the protection plate 25 and remains flat regardless of the folding operation of the housing 2. Therefore, the third sheet portion 42C does not deteriorate due to the folding operation of the housing 2.

[0080] As described above, in the position detection sensor 4 of the portable device 1 of this embodiment, the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 provided on one side of the digital converter portion 41 is separated into a first sheet portion 42A and a second sheet portion 42B, and a prescribed interval d where the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 is not formed is formed at a position bent due to the folding of the outer shell 2. The electromagnetic sheet portion 42 does not exist at the bent position where the outer shell 2 is greatly bent when folded, so that the deterioration of the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 caused by the folding of the outer shell 2 can be reduced.

[0081] Then, in this embodiment, the specified interval d where the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 is not formed is covered by the third sheet portion 42C, so the strength of the electromagnetic coupling between the annular coil constituting the digitizer portion 41 and the electronic pen 10 does not change locally even in the portion of the specified interval d.

[0082] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the third piece portion 42C is configured to be separated from the digital converter portion 41, the first piece portion 42A and the second piece portion 42B, and will not bend when the housing 2 is folded, so that no degradation caused by the folding action will occur at the third piece portion 42C.

[0083] [Modification of the above embodiment]

[0084] In the above embodiment, the third sheet portion 42C is configured so as not to bend at all even when the housing 2 is folded. However, if the third sheet portion 42C is not bent so much as to avoid being bent greatly, then, combined with its narrow width, even if it is displaced from a flat plate to a curved surface, its deterioration is small, so a slight displacement to the curved surface is allowed. Therefore, the third sheet portion 42C may be configured so as to bend slightly when the housing 2 is folded from the unfolded state.

[0085] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 includes both the magnetic path material layer portion 421 and the electromagnetic shielding layer portion 422, and is divided into the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B. However, regarding the deterioration caused by bending, the magnetic path material layer portion 421 is less than the electromagnetic shielding layer portion 422, so in the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B of the electromagnetic sheet portion 42, only the electromagnetic shielding layer portion 422 may be divided into the first portion 4221 and the second portion 4222. In this case, the third sheet portion 42C may also be configured to omit the magnetic path material layer portion and have only the electromagnetic shielding layer portion 4223.

[0086] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, in the position detection sensor 4 , the third sheet portion 42C is configured as an independent body that is not connected to the digitizer portion 41 and the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B of the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 .

[0087] However, by e.g. Figure 5 By configuring as shown, the third sheet portion 42C can be connected to the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B of the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 to configure the position detection sensor 4 .

[0088] Figure 5 An example of a position detection sensor constructed in this way is shown. Figure 5 Although the flexible display element 3 is omitted, the flexible display element 3 is provided on the side of the digitizer portion 41 opposite to the surface side where the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B of the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 are formed, similarly to the example of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0089] Figure 5(A) is a cross-sectional view of the position detection sensor 4' of this example in a bent state. Figure 5 (B) is a cross-sectional view of the state in which the folded state is completely unfolded in a plane. Figure 5 In the present invention, the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0090] In this Figure 5 An example of a position detection sensor 4 ´ is shown in FIG. Figure 5 (A) and Figure 5 As shown in (B), in the digitizer section 41, a space is not provided at a position of a predetermined interval d between the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B, but a bonding member 43 made of, for example, an elastically deformable resin is provided. The thickness of the bonding member 43 (the height from the surface of the digitizer section 41 on the side opposite to the input surface side) is greater than the thickness of the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B.

[0091] Then, if Figure 5 (A) and Figure 5 As shown in (B), the third sheet portion 42C is attached to the end surface of the bonding member 43 on the side opposite to the input surface of the digital converter unit 41. In this case, the width of the third sheet portion 42C is larger than the predetermined interval d, so a portion protruding from the bonding member 43 is generated, but as shown in FIG. Figure 5 (A) and Figure 5 As shown in (B), this portion becomes a non-joined portion separated from the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B. Figure 5 As shown in (A), the digital converter section 41 of the position detection sensor 4' and the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B of the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 are partially bent, and the non-bonded portion is not bent.

[0092] therefore, Figure 5 The position detection sensor 4' of the example also has the same effect as the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0093] Next, Figure 6 An example is shown in which the position detection sensor 4M is not provided with the third sheet portion 42C which is a non-connected independent body. Figure 6 (A) is a cross-sectional view of a position detection sensor 4M of this example in a bent state. Figure 6 (B) is a cross-sectional view of the state in which the folded state is completely unfolded in a plane. Figure 6 In the present invention, the same components as those of the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals with the suffix M added thereto, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0094] In this Figure 6 An example of a position detection sensor 4M is as follows Figure 6 (A) and Figure 6 As shown in (B), the electromagnetic sheet portion 42M provided on the surface of the digital converter portion 41 opposite to the input surface side is also similar to the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 of the above-mentioned embodiment, in which the first sheet portion 42AM and the second sheet portion 42BM are separated near the bending position, and at the bending position, a portion where the first sheet portion 42AM and the second sheet portion 42BM are not adhered is formed at a predetermined interval d.

[0095] However, in this Figure 6 In the example, Figure 6 (A) and Figure 6 As shown in (B), one of the first sheet portion 42AM and the second sheet portion 42BM, in this example, the second sheet portion 42BM is configured to cover a portion of a specified interval d and to overlap with the other of the first sheet portion 42AM and the second sheet portion 42BM, in this example, the first sheet portion 42AM.

[0096] Therefore, in this Figure 6 An example of a position detection sensor 4M is as follows Figure 6 As shown in (B), when the sheet is fully unfolded in a planar state from the folded state, a space 45 is formed at a predetermined interval d between the first sheet portion 42AM and the second sheet portion 42BM, and an overlap (overlapping portion) Ov is generated between the first sheet portion 42AM and the second sheet portion 42BM.

[0097] In the case of a Figure 6 In the position detection sensor 4M of the example shown in FIG. 1 , when the portable device is folded, the position detection sensor 4M is also bent, but in the electronic sheet portion 42M, since it is separated into the first sheet portion 42AM and the second sheet portion 42BM, it is not easy to deteriorate. Then, when the portable device is set to the fully unfolded state, the separated first sheet portion 42AM and the second sheet portion 42BM overlap each other, so that the electromagnetic coupling level between the digitizer portion 41M and the electronic pen 10 can be prevented from being locally changed even in the separated position.

[0098] [Other embodiments or modifications]

[0099] Furthermore, the above embodiment is an example of a case where the housing is folded inwardly as a portable device, but the embodiment can also be applied to a case where the housing is folded outwardly as a portable device.

[0100] In the portable device of the above embodiment, a two-point hinge is used as a folding mechanism, but a one-point hinge or a multi-point hinge of three or more points may be used.

[0101] Figure 7 and Figure 8 This is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a portable device 1D that includes hinges that support at multiple points and can be folded inward. Figure 7 The folding change of the portable device 1D of this example is shown in an overview. The portable device 1D of this example is configured to be able to be folded from Figure 7 From the folded state shown in (A) Figure 7 The state during the opening and closing process shown in (B) becomes Figure 7 The fully expanded state is shown in (C). Then, Figure 8 (A) schematically shows Figure 7 (B) is a CC cross-sectional view of FIG., in addition, Figure 8 (B) schematically shows Figure 7 (C) Diagram of the DD cross-sectional view.

[0102] In the portable device 1D of this example, as Figure 7 (A), (B), (C), Figure 8 As shown in (A) and (B) of FIG. 1 , the housing (casing) 2D has a hinge 23D and a hinge 24D (at the bottom) supported at multiple points by a first frame member 21D and a second frame member 22D. Figure 8 Only the structure that is foldably connected at the hinge portion 23D) that can be folded inward is shown.

[0103] The housing 2D of the portable device 1D of this example is as follows Figure 7 (C) and Figure 8 When fully expanded, it becomes a thin plate-like body in a rectangular shape, and, as shown in (B) Figure 7 (B) and Figure 8 In the folded state shown in (A), it is approximately half the size of the fully unfolded state.

[0104] In the portable device 1D of this example, the hinge 23D and the hinge 24D are excluded, and the portable device 1D is provided with the same Figure 1 to Figure 4 Regarding the same configuration as the portable device 1 of the above-described embodiment, the same reference numerals as those of the portable device 1 are suffixed with D, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0105] like Figure 7As shown in (C), the display screen 3DP of the flexible display element 3D appears on one side of the rectangular plate-like body when the housing 2D of the portable device 1D of this example is in a fully unfolded state. Figure 7 (A), (C) and Figure 8 As shown in (A) and (B), on the side of the flexible display element 3D opposite to the display screen 3DP (the lower side (back side) of the flexible display element 3D), an electromagnetic induction coupling type position detection sensor 4D is overlapped on the flexible display element 3D in such a manner that the same area as the display screen 3DP becomes the sensor detection area.

[0106] The position detection sensor 4D of this example is as follows Figure 7 As shown in (C), in the state where the portable device 1D is unfolded, signals are exchanged with the electronic pen 10 which is a position indicator of the electromagnetic induction coupling type by electromagnetic induction coupling, thereby detecting the position indicated by the electronic pen 10 .

[0107] Then, if Figure 8 As shown in (A) and (B), in the portable device 1D of this example, the position detection sensor 4D also has an electromagnetic sheet portion 42D on the surface of the digitizer portion 41D arranged opposite to the flexible display element 3D, which is opposite to the surface facing the flexible display element 3D.

[0108] The electromagnetic sheet portion 42D is as follows Figure 8 As shown in (A) and (B), similarly to the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 of the above-mentioned portable device 1, at the bending position of the digital converter portion 41D, it is divided into a first sheet portion 42AD and a second sheet portion 42BD separated by a predetermined interval d, and a third sheet portion 42CD that is configured to cover a portion of the predetermined interval d between the first sheet portion 42AD and the second sheet portion 42BD.

[0109] like Figure 8 As shown in (A) and (B) of FIG. 1 , the third sheet portion 42CD is configured to be separated from the first sheet portion 42AD and the second sheet portion 42BD, similarly to the example of the portable device 1 described above. Figure 8 Although not shown in the figure, the third sheet portion 42CD is disposed between the hinge portion 23D and the hinge portion 24D, and is a plate-like body such as a protective plate provided in a space between the multi-point support position and the position detection sensor 4D.

[0110] In the portable device 1D of this example, as Figure 8As shown in (B), the third sheet portion 42CD is also configured to cover a portion of a predetermined interval d between the first sheet portion 42AD and the second sheet portion 42BD, and has an overlapping portion Ov that overlaps with the first sheet portion 42AD and the second sheet portion 42BD in a direction orthogonal to the input surface of the digital converter portion 41D.

[0111] The position detection sensor 4D of the portable device 1D having the above-described structure can also achieve the same operational effects as those of the position detection sensor 4 of the portable device 1 .

[0112] Next, although the hinged portion having multiple points of support is the same as the portable device 1D described above, refer to Fig. 9 and Fig.10 A configuration example of a foldable portable device 1E that can be folded outward will be described.

[0113] Right now, Fig. 9 The portable device 1E of this example is configured to be able to be folded from Fig. 9 From the folded state shown in (A) Fig. 9 The state during the opening and closing process shown in (B) becomes Fig. 9 The fully expanded state is shown in (C). Then, Fig.10 (A) schematically shows Fig. 9 (B) is a cross-sectional view of EE, in addition, Fig.10 (B) schematically shows Fig. 9 (C) FF cross-sectional view.

[0114] In the portable device 1E of this example, as Fig. 9 (A), (B), (C), Fig.10 As shown in (A) and (B) of FIG. 1 , the housing (casing) 2E has a hinge 23E and a hinge 24E (at which the first frame member 21E and the second frame member 22E are supported at multiple points). Fig.10 Only the structure connected in a foldable manner that can be folded outward at the hinge portion 23E) is shown.

[0115] The housing 2E of the portable device 1E of this example is as follows Fig. 9 (C) and Fig.10 When fully expanded, it becomes a thin plate-like body in a rectangular shape, and, as shown in (B) Fig. 9 (B) and Fig.10 In the folded state shown in (A), it is approximately half the size of the fully unfolded state.

[0116] In the portable device 1E of this example, with respect to the portion excluding the hinge portion 23E and the hinge portion 24E, except for the difference in folding between folding outward and folding inward, the portion has the same structure as the portable device 1 and the portable device 1D of the above-mentioned embodiment. For the same structural portions as the portable device 1, the same number is given a suffix E, and its detailed description is omitted.

[0117] The portable device 1E of this example is configured as follows: Fig. 9 (A) and Fig.10 In the folded state shown in (A), in addition, Fig. 9 In the folding process of (B), the display screen 3EP of the flexible display element 3E appears. Then, in the portable device 1E of this example, a position detection sensor 4E coupled to the electronic pen 10 by electromagnetic induction coupling is provided on the side of the flexible display element 3E opposite to the display screen 3EP (the lower side (back side) of the flexible display element 3E) so that the same area as the display screen 3EP becomes the sensor detection area.

[0118] The position detection sensor 4E of this example is as follows Fig. 9 As shown in (A), (B), and (C), not only in the fully unfolded state, but also in the folded state, and also in the fully folded state, it is possible to interact with the electronic pen 10 as a position indicator using electromagnetic induction coupling through signal interaction, thereby detecting the position indicated by the electronic pen 10.

[0119] Then, if Fig.10 As shown in (A) and (B), in the portable device 1E of this example, the position detection sensor 4E also has an electromagnetic sheet portion 42E on the surface of the digitizer portion 41E arranged opposite to the flexible display element 3E, which is opposite to the surface facing the flexible display element 3E.

[0120] Then, the electromagnetic sheet portion 42E of the portable device 1E of this example is as follows Fig.10 As shown in (B), similarly to the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 of the above-mentioned portable device 1, at the bending position of the digital converter portion 41E, it is divided into a first sheet portion 42AE and a second sheet portion 42BE separated in a manner separated by a predetermined interval d, and a third sheet portion 42CE configured to cover a portion of the predetermined interval d between the first sheet portion 42AE and the second sheet portion 42BE.

[0121] like Fig.10 As shown in (A) and (B) of FIG. 1 , the third sheet portion 42CE is configured to be separated from the first sheet portion 42AE and the second sheet portion 42BE, similarly to the example of the portable device 1 described above. Fig.10Although not shown in the figure, the third sheet portion 42CE is disposed between the hinge portion 23E and the hinge portion 24E, and is a plate-like body such as a protective plate provided in a space between the multi-point support position and the position detection sensor 4E.

[0122] In this Fig.10 In the example, Fig.10 As shown in (B), the third sheet portion 42CE is also configured to cover a portion of a predetermined interval d between the first sheet portion 42AE and the second sheet portion 42BE, and has an overlapping portion Ov that overlaps with the first sheet portion 42AE and the second sheet portion 42BE in a direction orthogonal to the input surface of the digital converter portion 41E.

[0123] The position detection sensor 4E of the portable device 1E having the above-described structure can also obtain the same operational effects as those of the position detection sensor 4 of the portable device 1 and the position detection sensor 4D of the portable device 1D.

[0124] In addition, in the above embodiment, the case where the housing of the portable device is folded into two parts is used as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to the case where it is folded into three or more parts. When folded into three or more parts, there are cases where the housing is folded inward or outward, but as described above, it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied in such a case.

[0125] Description of symbols

[0126] 1 ... portable device, 2 ... housing, 3 ... flexible display element, 4 ... position detection sensor, 21 ... first frame member, 22 ... second frame member, 23, 24 ... hinge portion, 41 ... digital converter portion, 42 ... electromagnetic sheet portion, 42A ... first sheet portion, 42B ... second sheet portion, 42C ... third sheet portion, 421 ... magnetic path material layer portion, 422 ... electromagnetic shielding layer portion

Claims

1. A position detection sensor, characterized in that: have: A digitizer configured to be bendable in the bendable region and having an electrode for electromagnetic induction coupling with the position indicator; a first electromagnetic sheet provided to cover a surface of the digitizer on a side opposite to an input surface side for receiving an indication input by the position indicator; as well as The second electromagnetic sheet is provided on a surface opposite to the input surface so as to overlap with the bendable region when the digitizer is unfolded.

2. The position detection sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first electromagnetic sheet and the second electromagnetic sheet are independent bodies.

3. The position detection sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second electromagnetic sheet is provided so as to cover a surface of the digitizer on a side opposite to an input surface side for receiving an indication input by the position indicator.

4. The position detection sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that: The second electromagnetic sheet has a protrusion, The protrusion overlaps the bendable region and a portion of the first electromagnetic sheet when the digitizer is unfolded.

5. The position detection sensor according to claim 4, characterized in that: When the digitizer is unfolded, the second electromagnetic sheet overlaps the first electromagnetic sheet in a non-contact state across the bendable region.

6. The position detection sensor according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The first electromagnetic sheet and the second electromagnetic sheet each include an electromagnetic shielding layer.

7. The position detection sensor according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The first electromagnetic sheet and the second electromagnetic sheet each include an electromagnetic shielding layer and a magnetic path material layer, wherein the magnetic path material layer is provided on a surface of the electromagnetic shielding layer that is opposite to the digitizer side.

8. The position detection sensor according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The digitizer is bent toward the input surface.

9. The position detection sensor according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The digitizer is bent toward a surface side opposite to the input surface side.

10. The position detection sensor according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The digitizer is bent multiple times.

11. The position detection sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The position detection sensor further includes a third electromagnetic sheet provided to cover a surface of the digital converter opposite to an input surface side receiving an indication input by the position indicator. The second electromagnetic sheet overlaps the bendable region, a portion of the first electromagnetic sheet, and a portion of the third electromagnetic sheet.

12. The position detection sensor according to claim 11, characterized in that: The first electromagnetic sheet and the third electromagnetic sheet are provided so as to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval in the bendable region along the surface of the digitizer in the expanded state.

13. The position detection sensor according to claim 12, characterized in that: The second electromagnetic sheet covers the predetermined interval between the first electromagnetic sheet and the third electromagnetic sheet and overlaps the first electromagnetic sheet and the third electromagnetic sheet when the digitizer is unfolded.

14. The position detection sensor according to claim 13, characterized in that: The second electromagnetic sheet is spaced apart from a surface of the digitizer opposite to the input surface, the first electromagnetic sheet, and the third electromagnetic sheet in a direction perpendicular to the input surface of the digitizer when the digitizer is unfolded.

15. The position detection sensor according to claim 13, characterized in that: The position detection sensor further includes an elastically deformable member provided at a position of the predetermined interval between the first electromagnetic sheet and the third electromagnetic sheet. The second electromagnetic sheet is fixed to the elastically deformable member.

16. The position detection sensor according to claim 13, characterized in that: The second electromagnetic sheet does not bend even when the digitizer is bent.

17. The position detection sensor according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: The first electromagnetic sheet, the second electromagnetic sheet, and the third electromagnetic sheet each include an electromagnetic shielding layer.

18. The position detection sensor according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: The first electromagnetic sheet, the second electromagnetic sheet, and the third electromagnetic sheet each include an electromagnetic shielding layer and a magnetic path material layer, and the magnetic path material layer is provided on a surface of the electromagnetic shielding layer that is opposite to the digitizer side.

19. The position detection sensor according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: The digitizer is bent toward the input surface.

20. The position detection sensor according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: The digitizer is bent toward a surface side opposite to the input surface side.

21. The position detection sensor according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: The digitizer is bent multiple times.

22. An input device comprising: Electromagnetic induction coupling type position detection sensor; and The housing member includes a hinge portion for allowing the position detection sensor to be deformed into a folded state and an unfolded state from the folded state. The input device is characterized in that The position detection sensor is the position detection sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

23. The input device according to claim 22, characterized in that The input device includes a bendable sheet-shaped display element. The position detection sensor is provided on the display screen so as to overlap with the surface side of the display element on the side opposite to the display screen side. The hinge portion of the housing member enables the display element and the position detection sensor to be transformed into a folded state and a state unfolded from the folded state.

24. A position detection sensor, comprising: a digitizer including electrodes configured to couple with a position indicator by electromagnetic inductive coupling, the digitizer having an input face for accepting input from the position indicator; as well as An electromagnetic sheet is arranged to cover the surface of the digitizer opposite to the input surface, the electromagnetic sheet includes a first electromagnetic sheet and a second electromagnetic sheet, the first electromagnetic sheet and the second electromagnetic sheet are separated from each other by a specified distance along the surface of the digitizer at a bending position where the digitizer is bent in an unfolded state, the first electromagnetic sheet or the second electromagnetic sheet includes an extension portion, and the extension portion is configured so that when the digitizer is in the unfolded state, when observed from a direction perpendicular to the input surface of the digitizer, the extension portion overlaps with another electromagnetic sheet that does not include the extension portion at the bending position.

25. The position detection sensor according to claim 24, wherein: The electromagnetic sheet includes an electromagnetic shielding layer.

26. The position detection sensor according to claim 24, wherein: The electromagnetic sheet includes an electromagnetic shielding layer and a magnetic path material layer, and the magnetic path material layer is arranged on a surface of the electromagnetic shielding layer facing the digital converter.

27. The position detection sensor according to claim 24, wherein: The digitizer is bent toward the input surface.

28. The position detection sensor according to claim 24, wherein: The digitizer is bent toward a side opposite to the input surface side.

29. The position detection sensor according to claim 24, wherein: The digitizer is bent multiple times.

30. An input device, comprising: Position detection sensors that can operate via electromagnetic inductive coupling; as well as The housing member includes a hinge portion configured to allow the position detection sensor to be switched between a folded state and an unfolded state, Wherein, the position detection sensor comprises: a digitizer including electrodes configured to couple with a position indicator by electromagnetic inductive coupling, the digitizer having an input face for accepting input from the position indicator; and An electromagnetic sheet is arranged to cover the surface of the digitizer opposite to the input surface, the electromagnetic sheet includes a first electromagnetic sheet and a second electromagnetic sheet, the first electromagnetic sheet and the second electromagnetic sheet are separated from each other by a specified distance along the surface of the digitizer at a bending position where the digitizer is bent in an unfolded state, the first electromagnetic sheet or the second electromagnetic sheet includes an extension portion, and the extension portion is configured so that when the digitizer is in the unfolded state, when observed from a direction perpendicular to the input surface of the digitizer, the extension portion overlaps with another electromagnetic sheet that does not include the extension portion at the bending position.

31. The input device according to claim 30, further comprising: A bendable sheet-shaped display element, wherein: The position detection sensor is provided on a surface of the display element opposite to its display screen so as to overlap the display screen, and The hinge portion of the housing member enables the display element and the position detection sensor to be switched between the folded state and the unfolded state.

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