Pressure detection device

Abstract

To provide a pressure detection device in which a range where pressure is detected is segmented.SOLUTION: A pressure detection device includes a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor includes a substrate, a first circuit forming layer, a sensor layer, and a second circuit forming layer that are stacked in sequence. The first circuit forming layer includes a first surface, multiple first detection electrodes, and multiple first individual detection regions. The second circuit forming layer includes a second surface, multiple second detection electrodes, and multiple second individual detection regions. The multiple first detection electrodes are arranged in a first direction and a second direction. The multiple second detection electrodes are also arranged in the first direction and the second direction. When viewed from a third direction which intersects the first direction and the second direction, the first detection electrodes and the second detection electrodes are arranged so as to deviate from each other in the first direction and the second direction. When viewed from the third direction, a single second individual detection region is arranged over the multiple first individual detection regions. A portion of the first individual detection region and a portion of the second individual detection region overlapping with each other in the third direction are used as a combined individual detection region, and the load is calculated for each combined individual detection region.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

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

[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 formation layer on which a plurality of test electrodes are provided, a common electrode facing the detection electrode, and a sensor layer sandwiched between the detection electrode and the common electrode. When 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. This causes a current to flow from the common electrode to the detection electrode, and the input of pressure is detected. In this way, the pressure sensor can detect pressure for each detection electrode. In other words, the detection area of ​​the pressure sensor is divided into individual detection areas in the same number as the detection electrodes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-146489 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, there has been a demand for the development of a pressure detection device in which the pressure detection range (individual detection area) is further subdivided.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a pressure detection device in which the range (area) for detecting pressure is subdivided. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A pressure detection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a pressure sensor to which a load is input. The pressure sensor includes a base material, a first circuit-forming layer, a sensor layer, and a second circuit-forming layer, which are stacked in this order. The first circuit-forming layer has a first surface facing the sensor layer, a plurality of first detection electrodes arranged on the first surface, and a plurality of first individual detection regions divided to correspond to the plurality of first detection electrodes. The second circuit-forming layer has a second surface facing the sensor layer, a detection surface facing in the opposite direction to 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 to correspond to the plurality of second detection electrodes. The plurality of first detection electrodes are arranged in a first direction parallel to the detection surface and a second direction 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 shifted from each other in the first direction and the second direction. When viewed from the third direction, one of the second individual detection areas is arranged across a plurality of the first individual detection areas. A portion of the first individual detection area and a portion of the second individual detection area that overlap each other in the third direction are defined as a composite individual detection area, and a load is calculated for each of the composite individual detection areas. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view that illustrates a pressure detection device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the pressure sensor. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration of the first circuit-formation layer of the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a load is input to the detection surface of the pressure sensor according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the pressure detection device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic diagram of a part of the first detection region and a part of the second detection region. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining pressure values ​​detected in the first individual detection area and the second individual detection area, and a calculated pressure value of the combined individual detection area. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a time chart of the operation of the pressure detection device in the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] A detailed description will be given of a form (embodiment) for carrying out the pressure detection device of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings. The invention of the present disclosure is not limited to the contents described in the following embodiments. The components described below include those that a person skilled in the art can easily imagine and those that are substantially the same. Furthermore, the components described below can be appropriately combined. Note that the disclosure is merely an example, and those that a person skilled in the art can easily imagine appropriate modifications while maintaining the gist of the invention are naturally included in the scope of the present disclosure. In order to make the explanation clearer, the drawings may be schematic in terms of the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part compared to the actual embodiment, but they are merely examples and do not limit the interpretation of the present disclosure. In addition, in this specification and each figure, the same reference numerals are given to components similar to those described above with respect to the previously mentioned figures, and detailed explanations may be omitted as appropriate.

[0009] Furthermore, in this specification and the claims, when expressing an aspect of arranging another structure on top of a certain structure, the term "on top" is used, unless otherwise specified, to include both the case where another structure is arranged directly on top of a certain structure so as to be in contact with the certain structure, and the case where another structure is arranged above a certain structure via yet another structure.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a pressure detection device according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the pressure detection device 100 includes a pressure sensor 1 and a control board 80 that controls the operation (drive) of the pressure sensor 1. One surface of the pressure sensor 1 is a detection surface 1a that detects pressure. The pressure sensor 1 is formed in a plate shape with a small thickness in a direction perpendicular to the detection surface 1a. The control board 80 is provided with a control circuit 81 and a power supply circuit 82. The control board 80 is connected to a host 90. The host 90 is a higher-level control device that controls the pressure detection device 100. Each component will be described below.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of a pressure sensor. As shown in FIG. 2, 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 this order. 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 are stacked is referred to as a stacking direction. The stacking direction may also be referred to as a third direction. Among the stacking directions, the direction in which the second circuit-forming layer 30 is arranged as viewed from the first circuit-forming layer 10 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. Viewing from the first stacking direction Z1 is referred to as a planar view.

[0012] The substrate 6 is a base material that supports the first circuit-formation layer 10, and is made of a material that is not easily deformed even when a load is applied. The substrate 6 also has insulating properties. For example, the substrate 6 is made of a glass substrate, a resin substrate, or the like.

[0013] The first circuit-formation layer 10 is laminated on the substrate 6 and is integrated with the substrate 6. Although not shown, the first circuit-formation layer 10 has a laminated structure in which a plurality of insulating layers are laminated. As shown in FIG. 1, when viewed from above, the first circuit-formation layer 10 is divided into a first detection region 2A that detects pressure and a first peripheral region 3A that does not detect pressure. The first detection region 2A is located in the center of the first circuit-formation layer 10. The first peripheral region 3A is in the shape of a frame that surrounds the outside of the first detection region 2A.

[0014] The first detection area 2A is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view. 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, a direction parallel to the detection surface 1a and parallel to the short sides 2a is referred to as a first direction X. A direction parallel to the detection surface 1a and parallel to the long sides 2b, in other words, a direction perpendicular to (intersecting with) the first direction X is referred to as a second direction Y. In addition, the above-mentioned stacking direction (third direction) is a direction perpendicular to (intersecting with) the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0015] 2, the first circuit-formation layer 10 has a first surface 11 facing the first stacking direction Z1. On this first surface 11, a plurality of first detection electrodes 12 and a plurality of first common electrodes 18 are provided.

[0016] The first detection electrode 12 is an electrode for detecting pressure, and is made of a metal material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide). As shown in FIG. 1, the first detection electrode 12 is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view. The first detection electrodes 12 are arranged in the first detection region 2A. The first detection electrodes 12 are also arranged in the first direction X and the second direction Y. Therefore, in the first circuit-forming layer 10, the first detection region 2A can be divided into the first direction X and the second direction Y to detect pressure in each region. These divided regions are called first individual detection regions 4A. Therefore, the first detection region 2A is composed of a plurality of first individual detection regions 4A arranged in the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0017] 2, a plurality of first driving transistors 13 are provided inside the first circuit-formation layer 10. One first driving transistor 13 is provided for each first individual detection area 4A. Thus, 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 areas 4.

[0018] Moreover, the first circuit-formation layer 10 includes various components for driving the first driving transistor 13. Specifically, the first circuit-formation layer 10 has a first connection portion 7 (see FIG. 1), a first gate line driving circuit 8 (see FIG. 1), a first signal line selection circuit 9 (see FIG. 1), a first gate line 14 (see FIG. 3), and a first signal line 15 (see FIG. 3).

[0019] 1, the first connection portion 7, the first gate line driving circuit 8, and the first signal line selection circuit 9 are disposed in the first peripheral area 3A. The first connection portion 7 is for connecting to a control board 80, and examples of such a board include a flexible printed circuit board and a rigid board.

[0020] The first gate line driving circuit 8 is a circuit that drives a plurality of first gate lines 14 (see FIG. 3) based on various control signals supplied from a control circuit 81. The first gate line driving circuit 8 sequentially selects the plurality of first gate lines 14 and supplies a gate driving signal to the selected first gate line 14. The first signal line selection circuit 9 is a switch circuit that sequentially or simultaneously selects a plurality of first signal lines 15 (see FIG. 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 to the control circuit 81 based on a selection signal supplied from the control circuit 81.

[0021] Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration of the first circuit-formation layer of the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the first gate lines 14 extend in the first detection region 2A in the first direction X. Furthermore, a plurality of the first gate lines 14 are arranged in the second direction Y. The first signal lines 15 extend in the first detection region 2A in the second direction Y. Furthermore, a plurality of the first signal lines 15 are arranged in the first direction X.

[0022] In addition, although not shown, a first common wiring is provided in the first peripheral region 3A of the first circuit-formation layer 10. The first common wiring is a wiring for supplying a current to the first common electrode 18. The first common wiring is connected to the control board 80 via the first connection portion 7, and a constant amount of current is supplied from the control circuit 81 to the first common wiring.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, 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 FIG. 3). The drain electrode 13d is connected to the first signal line 15 (see FIG. 3). When the first gate line 14 is scanned, the first driving transistor 13 is closed (turned on). As a result, the electric signal (current) input to the first detection electrode 12 is output to the first signal line 15 via the first driving transistor 13. Then, the electric signal (current) is sent from the first signal line 15 to the control circuit 81.

[0024] The first common electrodes 18 are provided for each of the first individual detection regions 4A. The first common electrodes 18 are separated from the first detection electrodes 12. The first common electrodes 18 are connected to a first common wiring (not shown) by a wiring (not shown) embedded in the second stacking direction Z2 further from the first surface 11 of the first circuit-formation layer 10, and a constant amount of current is supplied to the first common electrodes 18.

[0025] 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-forming layer 10 from the first stacking direction Z1 and is in contact with both the first detection electrode 12 and the first common electrode 18.

[0026] The sensor layer 20 is made of a material containing conductive fine particles inside a resin layer with high insulating properties. The conductive fine particles are dispersed inside the resin layer and are separated from each other. Therefore, the resistance value of the sensor layer 20 is high when the resin layer is not deformed. Therefore, although the sensor layer 20 is in contact with each of the first detection electrode 12 and the first common electrode 18, 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 fine particles come into contact or approach each other, and the resistance value of the sensor layer 20 decreases. Also, when the deformation amount of the resin layer increases, the amount of contact between the fine particles increases, and the resistance value of the sensor layer 20 decreases significantly. Therefore, when the sensor layer 20 is deformed, the first detection electrode 12 and the first common electrode 18 are electrically connected.

[0027] Next, the second circuit-formation layer 30 will be described, but the second circuit-formation layer 30 has technical elements in common with the first circuit-formation layer 10. Therefore, in the description of the second circuit-formation layer 30, the description of the common technical elements will be simplified.

[0028] 1, in plan view, the second circuit-formation 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-formation layer 30.

[0029] The second detection region 2B is formed in the same rectangular shape as the first detection region 2A, and has the same size as the first detection region 2A. However, the second detection region 2B is arranged slightly shifted from the first detection region 2A in the first direction X and the second direction Y. In other words, when viewed in a plan view, the outer frame 2M of the first detection region 2A and the outer frame 2N of the second detection region 2B do not match. The positional relationship between the first detection region 2A and the second detection region 2B will be described later. The second peripheral region 3B is in the shape of a frame surrounding the second detection region 2B.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the second circuit-formation 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 this second surface 31. As shown in FIG. 1, the second detection electrode 32 is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view and has the same size as the first detection electrode 12. The plurality of second detection electrodes 32 are arranged in the second detection region 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 region 2B is composed of a plurality of second individual detection regions 4B arranged in the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0031] 2, a plurality of second driving transistors 33 are provided inside the second circuit-forming layer 30. The second driving transistors 33 are provided one for each second individual detection region 4B. Although not shown in the figure, the second circuit-forming layer 30 also 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 transistors 33.

[0032] The second common electrodes 38 are provided for each of the second individual detection regions 4B. The second common electrodes 38 are separated from the second detection electrodes 32. The second common electrodes 38 are connected to a second common wiring (not shown) by a wiring (not shown) embedded in the second circuit-forming layer 30. The second common wiring is provided in the second peripheral region 3B of the second circuit-forming layer 30. The second common wiring is connected to the control board 80 via a second connection 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. The first sensor surface 21 of the sensor layer 20 covers the second circuit-forming layer 30 from the second stacking direction Z2, and is in contact with each of the second detection electrodes 32 and the second common electrode 38.

[0033] The protective layer 40 is formed of an elastically deformable and insulating material such as rubber or resin. The surface of the protective layer 40 facing the first stacking direction Z1 serves as the detection surface 1a. Note that the protective layer 40 is not an essential component in the present disclosure. In other words, the surface of the second circuit-formation layer 30 facing the first stacking direction Z1 may serve as the detection surface 1a.

[0034] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a load is input to the detection surface of the pressure sensor of the embodiment. The dashed line 1a shown in Fig. 4 indicates the position of the detection surface 1a before the pressure is input. Next, a case in which a load is input to the pressure sensor 1 will be described. As shown in Fig. 4, when pressure (load in the second stacking direction Z2, see arrow A1 in Fig. 4) is input to the detection surface 1a, the load is transmitted to the sensor layer 20 via the protective layer 40 and the second circuit-formation 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 is reduced.

[0035] This reduces the resistance value of the sensor layer 20, and the first detection electrode 12 and the first common electrode 18 are electrically connected. Then, a 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 sent to the control circuit 81 via the first signal line 15. In addition, the second detection electrode 32 and the second common electrode 38 are also electrically connected, and a 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 sent to the control circuit 81 via a second signal line (not shown).

[0036] From the above, when pressure is input to the detection surface 1a, the pressure is detected by each of the first circuit-formation layer 10 and the second circuit-formation layer 30. Furthermore, as the pressure (see arrow A1) increases, the amount of deformation of the sensor layer 20 increases, and the amount of reduction in the resistance value of the sensor layer 20 increases. Therefore, by measuring the value of the current flowing through the first detection electrode 12 and the second detection electrode 32, the magnitude of the input pressure can be detected.

[0037] 1, a control circuit 81 provided on a control board 80 is a control integrated circuit (IC). A power supply circuit 82 supplies power to the control circuit 81. This enables the control circuit 81 to generate a signal to be supplied to the pressure sensor 1.

[0038] 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a pressure detection device according to an embodiment. A control circuit 81 and a power supply circuit 82 configure a drive control unit 83. The drive control unit 83 also has a timing control unit 84, a first drive control unit 85, a second drive control unit 86, and a data synthesis unit 87.

[0039] The timing control unit 84 receives a pressure detection command from the host 90, and issues sensing commands to the first drive control unit 85 and the second drive control unit 86. In addition, the timing control unit 84 shifts the timing of the sensing command to the first drive control unit 85 from the timing of the sensing command to the second drive control unit 86.

[0040] The first drive control unit 85 receives a sensing command and supplies drive signals to the first gate line drive circuit 8 and the first signal line selection circuit 9. This causes the first circuit-formation layer 10 to detect the pressure input to the first individual detection area 4A. The first drive control unit 85 receives the detection results (pressure value (current value) for each first individual detection area 4A) by the first circuit-formation layer 10 and passes them to the data synthesis unit 87.

[0041] When the second drive control unit 86 receives a sensing command, it supplies a drive signal to a second gate drive circuit (not shown) and a second signal line selection circuit (not shown). This causes the second circuit-formation layer 30 to detect the pressure input to the second individual detection area 4B. The second drive control unit 86 also receives the detection result (pressure value (current value) for each second individual detection area 4B) by the second circuit-formation layer 30 and passes it to the data synthesis unit 87.

[0042] 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 by the data synthesis unit 87 will be described later. The data synthesis unit 87 then supplies the synthesis result to the host 90. The synthesis result is the pressure value for each synthesized individual detection area 5, which will be described later.

[0043] Next, the positional relationship between the first detection region 2A and the second detection region 2B will be described in detail. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram in which a part of the first detection region and a part of the second detection region are extracted and enlarged. In Figs. 6 and 7, in order to easily distinguish the first detection electrode 12 from the second detection electrode 32, a dot is added to the second detection electrode 32. As shown in Fig. 6, the first detection electrode 12 and the second detection electrode 32 are shifted from each other in the first direction X and the second direction Y in a plan view.

[0044] More specifically, the distance between the centers O12 of the first detection electrodes 12 adjacent to each other in the first direction X and the second direction Y is L11. The distance L12 between the centers O32 of the second detection electrodes 32 is also the same as the distance L11. The distance L13 in the first direction X between the centers O12 and O32 is half the distance L11. Thus, the second detection electrode 32 is disposed midway between the two first detection electrodes 12 adjacent to each other in the first direction X. Furthermore, the distance L14 in the second direction Y between the centers O12 and O32 is the same as the distance L13, which is half the distance L11. Thus, the second detection electrode 32 is disposed midway between the two first detection electrodes 12 adjacent to each other in the second direction Y.

[0045] When viewed in a plan view, one second individual detection area 4B spans four (a plurality of) first individual detection areas 4A. In other words, a portion of the first individual detection area 4A divided into four and a portion of the second individual detection area 4B divided into four overlap each other. Hereinafter, the area where a portion of the first individual detection area 4A divided into four and a portion of the second individual detection area 4B divided into four overlap each other is referred to as a combined individual detection area 5 (see the hatched area in FIG. 6).

[0046] As a result, the first detection area 2A and the second detection area 2B are shifted from each other in the first direction X and the second direction Y by one combined individual detection area 5. Next, an example of a combination method (a method of calculating a pressure value of a combined individual detection area 5) by the data combination unit 87 will be described.

[0047] 7 is a diagram for explaining the pressure values ​​detected in the first individual detection area and the second individual detection area, and the calculated pressure value of the composite individual detection area. The numerical values ​​shown in FIG. 7 are pressure values. The numerical values ​​for the pressure value of the composite individual detection area 5 are underlined. The data synthesis unit 87 of the embodiment adds up the pressure values ​​detected in the first individual detection area 4A and the second individual detection area 4B that overlap the composite individual detection area 5, to obtain the pressure value detected in the composite individual detection area 5.

[0048] For example, the pressure value detected in the first individual detection area 4A is "30" (see the first individual detection area 4A located in the upper left corner of the paper in FIG. 7). The pressure value detected in the second individual detection area 4B is "40" (see the second individual detection area 4B located in the upper left corner of the paper in FIG. 7). In this case, the data synthesis unit 87 adds the pressure value "30" and the pressure value "40" together to obtain a value "70" as the pressure value detected in the synthesized individual detection area 5. The pressure values ​​of each synthesized individual detection area 5 are calculated in this manner.

[0049] Furthermore, the timing control section 84 of this embodiment shifts the timing of the sensing command sent to the first drive control section 85 from the timing of the sensing command sent to the second drive control section 86. Next, the effect of this will be described.

[0050] 8 is a time chart of the operation of the pressure detection device in the embodiment. In the first circuit-formation layer 10 in this embodiment, the number of first gate lines 14 arranged in the second direction Y is N. In addition, in the second circuit-formation layer 30, the number of second gate lines (not shown) arranged in the second direction Y is K. Furthermore, the number N of first gate lines 14 and the number K of second gate lines are the same (N=K).

[0051] During sensing, the first gate line driving circuits 8 of the first circuit-forming layer 10 are selected in order from the first gate line 14 in the first row arranged at one end in the second direction Y to the first gate line 14 in the Nth row arranged at the other end in the second direction Y. Similarly, the second gate line driving circuits (not shown) of the second circuit-forming layer 30 are selected in order from the second gate line (not shown) in the first row arranged at one end in the second direction Y to the second gate line (not shown) in the Kth row arranged at the other end in the second direction Y.

[0052] 8, the times T at which the timing control unit 84 issues a sensing command to the first drive control unit 85 are time T1, time T3, and time T5. On the other hand, the times T at which the timing control unit 84 issues a sensing command to the second drive control unit 86 are time T2, time T4, and time T6, so that the times T are shifted.

[0053] In this embodiment, an example is given in which the timing control unit 84 issues a total of three sensing commands, a first sensing command, a second sensing command, and a third sensing command, to the first drive control unit 85 and the second drive control unit 86. This makes it possible to detect changes in pressure over time. However, the present disclosure does not require multiple sensing operations.

[0054] Here, the first sensing command is issued to the second drive control unit 86 at time T2. This time T2 is the time when half the time required for the first sensing of the first circuit-formation layer 10 has elapsed. In other words, at the time T2, the second circuit-formation layer 30 is scanning the second gate line (not shown) in the first row, while the first circuit-formation layer 10 is scanning the first gate line 14 in the N / 2th row. Therefore, the scanning locations of the first circuit-formation layer 10 and the second circuit-formation layer 30 are shifted in the second direction Y.

[0055] Similarly, at time T3, the first circuit-formation layer 10 scans the first gate line 14 in the first row in response to the second sensing command, while the second circuit-formation layer 30 scans the second gate line (not shown) in the K / 2th row. Therefore, the scanning locations of the first circuit-formation layer 10 and the second circuit-formation layer 30 are shifted in the second direction Y.

[0056] As a result, it is possible to prevent a current from flowing from the first common electrode 18 of the first circuit-formation layer 10 to the second detection electrode 32 of the second circuit-formation layer 30, or from the second common electrode 38 of the second circuit-formation layer 30 to the first detection electrode 12 of the first circuit-formation layer 10. In other words, the reliability of the sensing result is improved.

[0057] As described above, according to the embodiment, it is possible to calculate the pressure value acting on each composite individual detection area 5. The size of this composite individual detection area 5 is one-fourth the size of the conventional individual detection areas (first individual detection area and second individual detection area). Therefore, according to the pressure detection device 100 of the embodiment, the range (area) for detecting pressure can be subdivided. Also, conventionally, there are the same number of detection electrodes and detection ranges (individual detection areas), but in this embodiment, the number of composite individual detection areas 5 is greater than the number of detection electrodes (first detection electrode 12 and second detection electrode 32). Therefore, the number of detection electrodes can be reduced.

[0058] In addition, in the pressure sensor 1 of the embodiment, one sensor layer 20 is shared by the first circuit-forming layer 10 and the second circuit-forming layer 30. Therefore, there is a possibility that a 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 a 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 this embodiment, the timing of the sensing command to the first circuit-forming layer 10 and the second circuit-forming layer 30 is shifted. Therefore, a current does not flow 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 a current does not flow 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.

[0059] Although the pressure detection device 100 of the embodiment has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the examples shown in the embodiment. For example, the data synthesis unit 87 of the embodiment simply adds up the pressure value detected in the first individual detection area 4A and the pressure value detected in the second individual detection area 4B to obtain the pressure value of the synthesized individual detection area 5, but the present disclosure is not limited to this synthesis method. In the present disclosure, 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 may be obtained as the synthesized individual detection area 5.

[0060] In addition, in this embodiment, the sensing command for the second circuit-forming layer 30 is issued after half the time required for the first sensing of the first circuit-forming layer 10 has elapsed (times T2, T4, and T6), but the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0061] In addition, when the distance between the first common electrode 18 and the second detection electrode 32 or the distance between the second common electrode 38 and the first detection electrode 12 is relatively large, in other words, when there is a low possibility that a current will flow 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, 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 embodiment, the first circuit-forming layer 10 and the second circuit-forming layer 30 are used with detection areas having substantially the same size, but a configuration in which one detection area is smaller than the other detection area can also be adopted. More specifically, a configuration in which the first detection area 2A formed by the first circuit-forming layer 10 is formed slightly smaller than the second detection area 2B formed by the second circuit-forming layer 30, and the first detection area 2A fits within the second detection area 2B in a plan view can also be adopted. In this case, the detection electrodes of both circuit-formation layers have the same size, and the number of gate lines, signal lines, and detection electrodes of the first circuit-formation layer 10 is smaller than that of the second circuit-formation layer 30. Also, a configuration can be adopted in which the first detection region 2A and the second detection region 2B are made different in size by decreasing or increasing the number of only one of the gate lines and the signal lines of the first circuit-formation layer 10 compared to the second circuit-formation layer 30.

[0062] In addition, the sensor layer 20 of the embodiment is made of a material containing conductive fine particles inside the resin layer, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the sensor layer may be formed of a conductive resin, and the detection electrode and the common electrode may be electrically connected to each other by increasing the contact area between the detection electrode and the common electrode.

[0063] Further, although the second detection electrode 32 in the embodiment is disposed in the middle of the first detection electrodes 12, in the present disclosure, the second detection electrode 32 may be shifted from the middle of the first detection electrodes 12. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 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. Synthetic individual detection area 6 Substrate 10 First circuit forming layer 11 Page 1 12 First detection electrode 18 Common electrode 20 Sensor Layer 30 Second circuit forming layer 31 Side 2 32 Second detection electrode 38 2nd common electrode 80 Control Board 81 Control circuit 82 Power supply circuit 83 Drive control unit 84 Timing control section 85 First drive control section 86 Second drive control section 87 Data Synthesis Section 100 Pressure detection device

Claims

1. A pressure sensor is provided to input a load, The pressure sensor includes a substrate, a first circuit-forming layer, a sensor layer, and a second circuit-forming layer, which are stacked in this order; The first circuit formation layer is a first surface facing the sensor layer; A plurality of first detection electrodes disposed on the first surface; a plurality of first individual detection regions divided corresponding to the plurality of first detection electrodes; having The second circuit formation layer is a second surface facing 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; a plurality of second individual detection regions divided corresponding to the plurality of second detection electrodes; having The first detection electrodes are arranged in a first direction parallel to the detection surface and in a second direction parallel to the detection surface and intersecting the first direction; The 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 shifted from each other in the first direction and the second direction, When viewed from the third direction, one of the second individual detection areas is disposed across a plurality of the first individual detection areas, A part of the first individual detection area and a part of the second individual detection area which overlap with each other in the third direction are defined as a composite individual detection area, and a load is calculated for each of the composite individual detection areas. Pressure sensing device.

2. The second detection electrodes are disposed between two of the first detection electrodes adjacent to each other in the first direction and between two of the first detection electrodes adjacent to each other in the second direction. The pressure detection device according to claim 1 .

3. a drive control unit for controlling the driving of each of the first circuit-formed layer and the second circuit-formed layer, The drive control unit calculates a pressure value of the composite individual detection area from pressure values ​​detected in the first individual detection area and the second individual detection area overlapping with the composite individual detection area. The pressure detection device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The drive control unit detects the pressure applied to the first circuit-formation layer at a timing different from that of the pressure applied to the second circuit-formation layer. The pressure detection device according to claim 3 .

Images