Electronic device

Abstract

To provide an electronic device configured to accurately detect a pressing force of a user pressing an operation panel.SOLUTION: A plate-like member includes an upper main surface and a lower main surface located in a vertical direction, and is fixed to a lower main surface of a display panel. A sensor is fixed to the lower main surface of the plate-like member to detect deformation of an operation panel. Each of upper and lower main surfaces of the operation panel, upper and lower main surfaces of the display panel, and the upper and lower main surfaces of the plate-like members has a rectangular shape having two sides extending in a front-back direction and two sides extending in a lateral direction. The sensor has a longitudinal direction extending in the lateral direction. In a first region located forward of the sensor and a second region located behind the sensor when seen in the vertical direction, one or more linear slits are arranged on the plate-like member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device equipped with a display panel. [Background technology]

[0002] As an example of an invention relating to a conventional electronic device, a pressure sensor described in Patent Document 1 is known. This pressure sensor includes an operation surface, a plate-shaped member, and a piezoelectric film. A user performs a pressing operation by touching the operation surface. The plate-shaped member is deflected by the pressing operation. The piezoelectric film is attached to the plate-shaped member and is deflected together with the plate-shaped member. This makes it possible to detect the pressing force by the output of the piezoelectric film. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2015 / 083678 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, in the pressure sensor described in Patent Document 1, there is a demand for detecting with high accuracy the magnitude of the force with which the user presses the operation surface.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that can accurately detect the amount of force with which a user presses an operation panel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: an operation panel having an upper main surface and a lower main surface aligned in a vertical direction, the operation panel being in contact with a part of a user's body or an operation member; a display panel having upper and lower main surfaces aligned in a vertical direction and fixed to the lower main surface of the operation panel; a plate-like member having upper and lower main surfaces aligned in a vertical direction and fixed to the lower main surface of the display panel; a sensor fixed to a lower main surface of the plate-like member and configured to detect deformation of the operation panel; Equipped with each of an upper principal surface and a lower principal surface of the operation panel, an upper principal surface and a lower principal surface of the display panel, and an upper principal surface and a lower principal surface of the plate-like member has a rectangular shape having two sides extending in a front-rear direction and two sides extending in a left-right direction; The sensor has a longitudinal direction extending in a left-right direction, The plate-like member has one or more linear slits or one or more linear ribs provided in a first region in front of the sensor or in a second region behind the sensor when viewed in the up-down direction.

[0007] An electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: an operation panel having an upper main surface and a lower main surface aligned in a vertical direction, the operation panel being in contact with a part of a user's body or an operation member; a display panel having upper and lower main surfaces aligned in a vertical direction and fixed to the lower main surface of the operation panel; a plate-like member having upper and lower main surfaces aligned in a vertical direction and fixed to the lower main surface of the display panel; a sensor fixed to a lower main surface of the plate-like member and configured to detect deformation of the operation panel; Equipped with each of an upper principal surface and a lower principal surface of the operation panel, an upper principal surface and a lower principal surface of the display panel, and an upper principal surface and a lower principal surface of the plate-like member has a rectangular shape having two sides extending in a front-rear direction and two sides extending in a left-right direction; The left and right ends of the plate-like member are bent upward or downward.

[0008] In this specification, an axis or member extending in the front-rear direction does not necessarily refer only to an axis or member that is parallel to the front-rear direction. An axis or member extending in the front-rear direction refers to an axis or member that is inclined within a range of ±45° with respect to the front-rear direction. Similarly, an axis or member extending in the up-down direction refers to an axis or member that is inclined within a range of ±45° with respect to the up-down direction. An axis or member extending in the left-right direction refers to an axis or member that is inclined within a range of ±45° with respect to the left-right direction.

[0009] In the following, the first member, the second member, and the third member are structures that an electronic device has. In this specification, the term "the first member is supported by the second member" includes both the case where the first member is attached to the second member (i.e., fixed or held) so as to be immovable relative to the second member, and the case where the first member is attached to the second member so as to be movable relative to the second member. In addition, the term "the first member is supported by the second member" includes both the case where the first member is directly attached to the second member, and the case where the first member is attached to the second member via the third member.

[0010] In this specification, the first member and the second member aligned in the front-rear direction refer to the following state. When the first member and the second member are viewed in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction, both the first member and the second member are arranged on an arbitrary straight line indicating the front-rear direction. In this specification, the first member and the second member aligned in the front-rear direction when viewed in the up-down direction refer to the following state. When the first member and the second member are viewed in the up-down direction, both the first member and the second member are arranged on an arbitrary straight line indicating the front-rear direction. In this case, when the first member and the second member are viewed from a left-right direction different from the up-down direction, either one of the first member and the second member may not be arranged on an arbitrary straight line indicating the front-rear direction. Note that the first member and the second member may be in contact with each other. The first member and the second member may be separated from each other. A third member may be present between the first member and the second member. This definition is also applied to directions other than the front-rear direction.

[0011] In this specification, the first member being disposed in front of the second member refers to the following state. A part of the first member is disposed within an area through which the second member passes when it translates forward. Thus, the first member may be contained within an area through which the second member passes when it translates forward, or may protrude from an area through which the second member passes when it translates forward. In this case, the first member and the second member are aligned in the front-rear direction. This definition also applies to directions other than the front-rear direction.

[0012] In this specification, a first member being disposed in front of a second member when viewed in the left-right direction refers to the following state: when viewed in the left-right direction, the first member and the second member are aligned in the front-to-rear direction, and when viewed in the left-to-right direction, a portion of the first member that faces the second member is disposed in front of the second member. In this definition, the first member and the second member do not have to be aligned in the front-to-rear direction in three dimensions. This definition also applies to directions other than the front-to-rear direction.

[0013] In this specification, the term "the first member is disposed in front of the second member" refers to the following state: the first member is disposed in front of a plane that passes through the front end of the second member and is perpendicular to the front-rear direction. In this case, the first member and the second member may or may not be aligned in the front-rear direction. This definition also applies to directions other than the front-rear direction.

[0014] In this specification, unless otherwise specified, each part of the first member is defined as follows. The front part of the first member means the front half of the first member. The rear part of the first member means the rear half of the first member. The left part of the first member means the left half of the first member. The right part of the first member means the right half of the first member. The upper part of the first member means the upper half of the first member. The lower part of the first member means the lower half of the first member. The front end of the first member means the front end of the first member. The rear end of the first member means the rear end of the first member. The left end of the first member means the left end of the first member. The right end of the first member means the right end of the first member. The upper end of the first member means the upper end of the first member. The lower end of the first member means the lower end of the first member. The front end of the first member means the front end of the first member and its vicinity. The rear end of the first member means the rear end of the first member and its vicinity. The left end of the first member means the left end of the first member and its vicinity. The right end of the first member means the right end of the first member and its vicinity. The upper end of the first member means the upper end of the first member and its vicinity. The lower end of the first member means the lower end of the first member and its vicinity.

[0015] In this specification, the term "the first member and the second member are electrically connected" includes the following two meanings. The first meaning is that the first member and the second member are physically in contact with each other, so that a direct current can flow between the first member and the second member. The second meaning is that the first member and the third member are physically in contact with each other, and the third member and the second member are physically in contact with each other, so that a direct current can flow between the first member and the second member. In the second meaning, the first member and the second member may or may not be in physical contact with each other. In the second meaning, the third member may be a single member or may include multiple members. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the electronic device of the present invention, the magnitude of the force with which the user presses the operation panel can be detected with high accuracy. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electronic device 1. As shown in FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device 1 taken along line AA. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a bottom view and a cross-sectional view of the sensor 6. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a top view of the sensor 6 and the plate-like member 7 of the model 2. As shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a top view of the electronic device 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the amount of deformation of each part of the model 1 when the point 13 is pressed. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the amount of deformation of each part of the model 2 when the point 13 is pressed. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a graph showing the charge generated by the sensor 6 when points 13 and 15 are pressed. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a top view of the sensor 6 and the plate-like member 7 of the model 5. As shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a top view of the sensor 6 and the plate-like member 7 of the model 6. As shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a top view of the sensor 6 and the plate-like member 7 of the model 7. As shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a top view of the sensor 6 and the plate-like member 7 of the model 8. As shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a graph showing the amount of charge generated by the sensor 6 when the point 13 is pressed. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a graph showing the amount of charge generated by the sensor 6 when the point 5 is pressed. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a graph showing the amount of charge generated by the sensor 6 when point 13 is pressed divided by the amount of charge generated by the sensor 6 when point 5 is pressed. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a top view of the sensor 6 and the plate-like member 7 of the electronic device 1a. [Figure 17]FIG. 17 is a top view of the sensor 6 and the plate-like member 7 of the electronic device 1b. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a top view of the sensor 6 and the plate-like member 7 of the model 9. As shown in FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a top view of the sensor 6 and the plate-like member 7 of the model 10. As shown in FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a graph showing the amount of charge generated by the sensor 6 when the point 13 is pressed. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a graph showing the amount of charge generated by the sensor 6 when the point 5 is pressed. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a graph showing the amount of charge generated by the sensor 6 when point 13 is pressed divided by the amount of charge generated by the sensor 6 when point 5 is pressed. [Diagram 23] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the sensor 6 and the plate-shaped member 7 of the electronic device 1c. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a top view of the sensor 6 and the plate-like member 7 of the model 3. As shown in FIG. [Diagram 25] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the amount of deformation of each part of the model 3 when the point 13 is pressed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] (First embodiment) Hereinafter, a configuration of an electronic device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the electronic device 1. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device 1 taken along line AA. Fig. 3 is a bottom view and a cross-sectional view of a sensor 6.

[0019] In addition, in this specification, directions are defined as follows. In the electronic device 1, the direction in which the upper and lower main surfaces of the operation panel 2 are aligned is defined as the up-down direction. In addition, the direction in which the long side of the operation panel 2 of the electronic device 1 extends when viewed in the up-down direction is defined as the front-rear direction. In addition, the direction in which the short side of the operation panel 2 of the electronic device 1 extends when viewed in the up-down direction is defined as the left-right direction. The up-down direction, left-right direction, and front-rear direction are mutually perpendicular. Note that the definitions of directions in this specification are merely examples. Therefore, the directions in the actual use of the electronic device 1 do not need to match the directions in this specification. In addition, the up-down direction may be reversed in FIG. 1. Similarly, the left-right direction may be reversed in FIG. 1. The front-rear direction may be reversed in FIG. 1.

[0020] The electronic device 1 is a portable electronic terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, etc. The electronic device 1 includes an operation panel 2, a housing 3, a display panel 4, an adhesive member 5, a sensor 6, and a plate-shaped member 7, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.

[0021] The operation panel 2 has upper and lower main surfaces aligned in the vertical direction. The upper and lower main surfaces of the operation panel 2 are rectangular with two sides extending in the front-to-rear direction and two sides extending in the left-to-right direction. The two sides extending in the front-to-rear direction are long sides. The two sides extending in the left-to-right direction are short sides. A part of the user's body or an operation member comes into contact with the upper main surface of the operation panel 2. The operation panel 2 is a transparent plate. The operation panel 2 is, for example, a glass plate.

[0022] The display panel 4 has an upper main surface and a lower main surface aligned in the vertical direction. The upper main surface and the lower main surface of the display panel 4 have a rectangular shape having two sides extending in the front-rear direction and two sides extending in the left-right direction. The two sides extending in the front-rear direction are long sides. The two sides extending in the left-right direction are short sides. The display panel 4 is fixed to the lower main surface of the operation panel 2. The display panel 4 is fixed to the operation panel 2 by adhesive, double-sided tape, or the like. The entire display panel 4 overlaps with the operation panel 2 when viewed in the vertical direction. Therefore, the display panel 4 does not protrude from the outer edge of the operation panel 2 when viewed in the vertical direction. The display panel 4 is, for example, an organic EL display or a liquid crystal display. The display panel 4 may also include a touch panel for detecting the position where the user touches the operation panel 2.

[0023] The plate-shaped member 7 has an upper main surface and a lower main surface aligned in the vertical direction. The upper main surface and the lower main surface of the plate-shaped member 7 have a rectangular shape having two sides extending in the front-rear direction and two sides extending in the left-right direction. The two sides extending in the front-rear direction are long sides. The two sides extending in the left-right direction are short sides. The plate-shaped member 7 is fixed to the lower main surface of the display panel 4. The plate-shaped member 7 is fixed to the display panel 4 by adhesive, double-sided tape, or the like. The entire plate-shaped member 7 overlaps with the display panel 4 when viewed in the vertical direction. Therefore, the plate-shaped member 7 does not protrude from the outer edge of the display panel 4 when viewed in the vertical direction. The rigidity of the plate-shaped member 7 is higher than the rigidity of the sensor 6 described later. The material of such a plate-shaped member 7 is, for example, a metal such as SUS (Stainless Used Steel). However, the material of the plate-shaped member 7 may be a material other than metal. The material other than metal is, for example, a resin.

[0024] The housing 3 is located below the operation panel 2. The housing 3 is a box. The housing 3 has a rectangular shape when viewed in the vertical direction. The long sides of the housing 3 extend in the front-to-rear direction. The short sides of the housing 3 extend in the left-to-right direction. The outer edge of the housing 3 when viewed in the vertical direction coincides with the outer edge of the operation panel 2 when viewed in the vertical direction. However, the top surface of the housing 3 is open. The opening Op of the housing 3 has a rectangular shape when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0025] The adhesive member 5 fixes a portion of the lower main surface of the operation panel 2 to the housing 3. More specifically, the adhesive member 5 fixes the periphery of the opening Op of the housing 3 to the vicinity of the outer edge of the operation panel 2. Thus, the adhesive member 5 has a rectangular frame shape surrounding the display panel 4 when viewed in the vertical direction. Therefore, the adhesive member 5 does not overlap with the display panel 4 when viewed in the vertical direction. The adhesive member 5 as described above is waterproof.

[0026] The sensor 6 detects deformation of the operation panel 2. More specifically, the sensor 6 is fixed to the lower main surface of the plate-like member 7 as shown in FIG. 1. More specifically, the sensor 6 has a rectangular shape when viewed in the up-down direction. The sensor 6 has a longitudinal direction extending in the left-right direction. The sensor 6 is located in the center of the plate-like member 7 in the front-rear direction when viewed in the up-down direction.

[0027] When the user presses the operation panel 2 and the operation panel 2 bends downward, the display panel 4 and the plate-like member 7 also bend downward. The sensor 6 then bends downward together with the plate-like member 7. This causes the sensor 6 to output a detection signal corresponding to the deformation of the operation panel 2 caused by the user pressing the operation panel 2. The sensor 6 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 3.

[0028] The sensor 6 includes a piezoelectric film 14, an upper electrode 15a, a lower electrode 15b, a substrate 16, and adhesive layers 18 and 20. The piezoelectric film 14 has a sheet shape. Therefore, the piezoelectric film 14 has an upper main surface and a lower main surface. The length of the piezoelectric film 14 in the left-right direction is longer than the length of the piezoelectric film 14 in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the piezoelectric film 14 has a rectangular shape with long sides extending in the left-right direction when viewed in the up-down direction. The piezoelectric film 14 generates a charge according to the deformation amount of the piezoelectric film 14. In this embodiment, the piezoelectric film 14 is a PLA film. The piezoelectric film 14 will be described in more detail below.

[0029] The piezoelectric film 14 has a characteristic that the polarity of the electric charge generated when the piezoelectric film 14 is stretched in the left-right direction is opposite to the polarity of the electric charge generated when the piezoelectric film 14 is stretched in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the piezoelectric film 14 is a film formed from a chiral polymer. The chiral polymer is, for example, polylactic acid (PLA), particularly L-type polylactic acid (PLLA). PLLA made of a chiral polymer has a helical structure of the main chain. PLLA has a piezoelectricity in which the molecules are oriented by uniaxial stretching. The piezoelectric film 14 has a piezoelectric constant of d14. The uniaxial stretching direction (orientation direction) of the piezoelectric film 14 forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to each of the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. This 45 degrees includes, for example, an angle including about 45 degrees ±10 degrees. As a result, the piezoelectric film 14 generates an electric charge when the piezoelectric film 14 is stretched in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction or compressed in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The piezoelectric film 14 generates a positive electric charge when it is stretched in the left-right direction, for example. For example, the piezoelectric film 14 generates a negative charge when compressed in the left-right direction. For example, the piezoelectric film 14 generates a negative charge when stretched in the front-back direction. For example, the piezoelectric film 14 generates a positive charge when compressed in the front-back direction. In other words, the polarity of the charge generated by the piezoelectric film 14 is opposite depending on a) whether it is compressed or stretched, and b) the direction of compression or compression. The magnitude of the charge depends on the amount of deformation of the piezoelectric film 14 due to stretching or compression. More precisely, the magnitude of the charge is proportional to the derivative of the amount of deformation of the piezoelectric film 14 due to stretching or compression.

[0030] The upper electrode 15a is a signal electrode. A detection signal is output from the upper electrode 15a. The upper electrode 15a is provided on the upper main surface of the piezoelectric film 14. The lower electrode 15b is a ground electrode. The lower electrode 15b is connected to the ground. The lower electrode 15b is provided on the lower main surface of the piezoelectric film 14. The material of the upper electrode 15a and the lower electrode 15b is, for example, a conductive polymer such as PEDOT.

[0031] The substrate 16 is provided on the upper electrode 15a. The substrate 16 holds the piezoelectric film 14, the upper electrode 15a, and the lower electrode 15b, and is deformed together with the piezoelectric film 14. The substrate 16 has a sheet shape. The substrate 16 has an upper main surface and a lower main surface. The length of the substrate 16 in the left-right direction is longer than the length of the substrate 16 in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the substrate 16 has a rectangular shape having long sides extending in the left-right direction when viewed in the up-down direction. The long sides of the substrate 16 are longer than the long sides of the piezoelectric film 14, the long sides of the upper electrode 15a, and the long sides of the lower electrode 15b. The short sides of the substrate 16 are longer than the short sides of the piezoelectric film 14, the short sides of the upper electrode 15a, and the short sides of the lower electrode 15b. The piezoelectric film 14, the upper electrode 15a, and the lower electrode 15b are arranged in a region surrounded by the outer edge of the substrate 16 when viewed in the up-down direction. The material of the substrate 16 is, for example, polyurethane or PET. It may be formed of a flexible substrate or a printed wiring board.

[0032] The adhesive layer 18 fixes the piezoelectric film 14, the upper electrode 15a, and the lower electrode 15b to the substrate 16. More specifically, the adhesive layer 18 is provided on the lower main surface of the substrate 16. The adhesive layer 18 covers a portion of the lower main surface of the substrate 16. The adhesive layer 18 also covers the entire upper main surface of the upper electrode 15a. The outer edge of the adhesive layer 18 is surrounded by the outer edge of the substrate 16 when viewed in the up-down direction. The adhesive layer 18 bonds the upper electrode 15a and the substrate 16. As a result, the deformation of the substrate 16 is transmitted to the piezoelectric film 14. The material of the adhesive layer 18 is, for example, a double-sided tape, a thermosetting adhesive, or a thermoplastic adhesive.

[0033] The adhesive layer 20 is provided on the upper main surface of the base material 16. The adhesive layer 20 fixes the base material 16 to the lower main surface of the plate-like member 7. The material of the adhesive layer 20 is, for example, a double-sided tape, a thermosetting adhesive, or a thermoplastic adhesive.

[0034] Incidentally, the electronic device 1 has a structure that can accurately detect the magnitude of the force with which the user presses the operation panel 2. This structure will be described below. As shown in Fig. 1, the area in front of the sensor 6 in the vertical direction is defined as a first area A1. The area behind the sensor 6 in the vertical direction is defined as a second area A2.

[0035] In the first region A1 and the second region A2, a number of linear slits SL are provided in the plate-like member 7. The slits SL extend in the front-rear direction. The slits SL have a straight line shape. The slits SL are spaces that penetrate the plate-like member 7 in the up-down direction. Therefore, no material of the plate-like member 7 is present in the slits SL. As described above, the slits SL have a linear shape. Therefore, the line width of the slits SL is sufficiently shorter than the length of the slits SL.

[0036] The slits SL include a plurality of first slits SL1 arranged in the first region A1 in the left-right direction, and a plurality of second slits SL2 arranged in the second region A2 in the left-right direction. The pitch of the first slits SL1 in the left-right direction is uniform. The pitch is the distance between the centers of two adjacent first slits SL1 in the line width direction.

[0037] In addition, the first slit SL1 located at the left end of the multiple first slits SL1 is defined as the first slit SL1L. The first slit SL1 located at the right end of the multiple first slits SL1 is defined as the first slit SL1R. The first slit SL1L is located near the left end of the sensor 6. However, the left-right distance D1 between the first slit SL1L and the left side of the plate-like member 7 is longer than the left-right distance D11 between the left end of the sensor 6 and the left side of the plate-like member 7. The first slit SL1R is located near the right end of the sensor 6. However, the left-right distance D2 between the first slit SL1R and the right side of the plate-like member 7 is shorter than the left-right distance D12 between the right end of the sensor 6 and the right side of the plate-like member 7.

[0038] The lengths of the first slits SL1 are equal to each other. The front ends of the first slits SL1 are aligned in a row in the left-right direction. The rear ends of the first slits SL1 are aligned in a row in the left-right direction. The front-rear distance D3 between the front ends of the first slits SL1 and the front edge of the plate-like member 7 is shorter than the front-rear distance D13 between the front ends of the first slits SL1 and the center C1 of the first region A1 in the front-rear direction. The front-rear distance D4 between the rear ends of the first slits SL1 and the sensor 6 is shorter than the front-rear distance D14 between the rear ends of the first slits SL1 and the center C1 of the first region A1 in the front-rear direction. The front-rear distance D4 between the rear ends of the first slits SL1 and the sensor 6 is 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

[0039] The structure of the second slits SL2 is symmetrical to the first slits SL1 in the front-rear direction, and therefore a description of the second slits SL2 will be omitted.

[0040] [effect] The electronic device 1 can accurately detect the magnitude of the force with which the user presses the operation panel 2. More specifically, in the first area A1 and the second area A2, a plurality of linear slits SL are provided in the plate-shaped member 7. This reduces the rigidity of the plate-shaped member 7. Therefore, when the user presses the operation panel 2, the operation panel 2, the display panel 4, and the plate-shaped member 7 are more likely to bend significantly downward. At this time, the plate-shaped member 7 extends significantly in the left-right direction, so the amount of deformation of the sensor 6 in the left-right direction increases. As a result, the amount of charge generated by the sensor 6 increases. As described above, the electronic device 1 can accurately detect the magnitude of the force with which the user presses the operation panel 2.

[0041] According to the electronic device 1, the magnitude of the force with which the user presses the operation panel 2 can also be detected with high accuracy for the following reasons. When the user presses the operation panel 2, the operation panel 2, the display panel 4, and the plate-shaped member 7 bend downward. At this time, the plate-shaped member 7 deforms so as to extend in the left-right direction. In the electronic device 1, the multiple slits SL extend in the front-back direction. Therefore, as the line width of the multiple slits SL increases, the plate-shaped member 7 extends significantly in the left-right direction. As a result, the amount of deformation of the sensor 6 in the left-right direction increases, and the amount of charge generated by the sensor 6 increases. From the above, according to the electronic device 1, the magnitude of the force with which the user presses the operation panel 2 can be detected with high accuracy.

[0042] In the electronic device 1, a plurality of slits SL are provided in the plate-shaped member 7. This further reduces the rigidity of the plate-shaped member 7. Therefore, when a user presses the operation panel 2, the operation panel 2, the display panel 4, and the plate-shaped member 7 are more likely to bend significantly downward. As a result, the electronic device 1 can accurately detect the magnitude of the force with which the user presses the operation panel 2.

[0043] In the electronic device 1, the plate-shaped member 7 is fixed to the lower main surface of the display panel 4. This allows heat generated by the display panel 4 to be dissipated by the plate-shaped member 7. As a result, the heat dissipation performance of the electronic device 1 is improved. In addition, the display panel 4 is protected by the plate-shaped member 7.

[0044] [Simulation 1] The inventors of the present application performed a simulation 1, which will be described below, in order to confirm the effects of the electronic device 1. FIG. 4 is a top view of the sensor 6 and the plate-like member 7 of the model 2. FIG. 5 is a top view of the electronic device 1. Points 1 to 25 in FIG. 5 indicate the positions of the upper main surface of the operation panel 2. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the amount of deformation of each part of the model 1 when point 13 is pressed. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the amount of deformation of each part of the model 2 when point 13 is pressed. The color bars in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 indicate that the amount of deformation increases toward the top. FIG. 8 is a graph showing the charge generated by the sensor 6 when points 13 and 15 are pressed.

[0045] In model 1 (not shown), no slits SL are provided in the plate-like member 7. In model 2, the pitch of the slits SL is 4 mm, and the line width of the slits SL is 0.5 mm. The material of the plate-like member 7 used in models 1 and 2 is SUS. The thickness of the plate-like member 7 is 0.15 mm. The length of the plate-like member 7 in the front-rear direction is 110 mm. The length of the plate-like member 7 in the left-right direction is 60 mm. Note that model 3 will be described later, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0046] In simulation 1, the inventors of the present application used a computer to calculate the amount of left-right deformation of the plate-like member 7 when point 13 on models 1 and 2 was pressed with a force of 1 N, and the amount of charge generated by the sensor 6 when points 13 and 15 on models 1 and 2 were pressed with a force of 1 N.

[0047] 6 and 7, it can be seen that the amount of deformation in the left-right direction of model 2 is larger than the amount of deformation in the left-right direction of model 1. The amount of deformation of model 1 was 130 nm. The amount of deformation of model 2 was 280 nm. In this way, it can be seen that by providing multiple slits SL in the plate-like member 7, the plate-like member 7 becomes more easily deformed in the left-right direction.

[0048] 8, it can be seen that the amount of charge generated by the sensor 6 in model 2 is greater than the amount of charge generated by the sensor 6 in model 1. This shows that the sensitivity of the sensor 6 is improved both when the center (point 13) of the operation panel 2 is pressed and when the edge (point 15) of the operation panel 2 is pressed. In other words, it can be seen that by providing a plurality of linear slits SL in the plate-like member 7, the magnitude of the force with which the user presses the operation panel 2 can be detected with high accuracy.

[0049] [Simulation 2] The inventors of the present application conducted Simulation 2 described below in order to confirm that the distance D4 between the rear ends of the first slits SL1 and the sensor 6 in the front-rear direction is preferably 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less. FIG. 9 is a top view of the sensor 6 and the plate-shaped member 7 of Model 5. FIG. 10 is a top view of the sensor 6 and the plate-shaped member 7 of Model 6. FIG. 11 is a top view of the sensor 6 and the plate-shaped member 7 of Model 7. FIG. 12 is a top view of the sensor 6 and the plate-shaped member 7 of Model 8. FIG. 13 is a graph showing the charge generated by the sensor 6 when the point 13 is pressed. FIG. 14 is a graph showing the charge generated by the sensor 6 when the point 5 is pressed. The unit of the vertical axis in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 is pC. FIG. 15 is a graph showing the value (ratio) of the charge generated by the sensor 6 when the point 13 is pressed divided by the charge generated by the sensor 6 when the point 5 is pressed.

[0050] In model 4 (not shown), slits SL are not provided in the plate-like member 7. In model 5, the distance D4 in the front-rear direction between the rear ends of the multiple first slits SL1 and the sensor 6 is 1 mm. In model 6, the distance D4 in the front-rear direction between the rear ends of the multiple first slits SL1 and the sensor 6 is 5 mm. In model 7, the distance D4 in the front-rear direction between the rear ends of the multiple first slits SL1 and the sensor 6 is 10 mm.

[0051] The model 8 has a structure described below. The distance D4 between the rear ends of the multiple slits SL and the sensor 6 in the front-rear direction becomes smaller from the center in the left-right direction of the plate-like member 7 to the left or right. More specifically, the first slit SL1 located closest to the center in the left-right direction of the plate-like member 7 among the multiple first slits SL1 is defined as the central first slit SL1C. The first slit SL1 located farthest from the center in the left-right direction of the plate-like member 7 among the multiple first slits SL1 is defined as the outer first slit (first slit SL1L, SL1R). The distance D22 between the rear ends of the outer first slits (first slits SL1L, SL1R) and the sensor 6 in the front-rear direction is shorter than the distance D21 between the rear end of the central first slit SL1C and the sensor 6 in the front-rear direction. The multiple second slits SL2 have a structure symmetrical in the up-down direction to the multiple first slits SL1.

[0052] In Models 4 to 8, the pitch of the slits SL is 4 mm, and the line width of the slits SL is 0.5 mm. The material of the plate-shaped member 7 is SUS. The thickness of the plate-shaped member 7 is 0.15 mm. The length of the plate-shaped member 7 in the front-rear direction is 110 mm. The length of the plate-shaped member 7 in the left-right direction is 60 mm.

[0053] In Simulation 2, the inventors of the present application used a computer to calculate the amount of charge generated by the sensor 6 when points 5 and 13 of Models 4 to 8 were pressed with a force of 1 N.

[0054] 13 and 14, it can be seen that the amount of charge generated by the sensor 6 in Models 5 to 8 is greater than the amount of charge generated by the sensor 6 in Model 4. This shows that the sensitivity of the sensor 6 is improved by providing the linear slits SL in the plate-like member 7.

[0055] Incidentally, in electronic device 1, it is preferable that the difference in sensitivity of sensor 6 is small among points 1 to 25 of operation panel 2. In other words, it is preferable that the difference in the amount of charge generated by sensor 6 when points 1 to 25 of operation panel 2 are pressed is small. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, the inventor of the present application calculated the value obtained by dividing the amount of charge generated by sensor 6 when point 13, where the sensitivity of sensor 6 is high, is pressed by the amount of charge generated by sensor 6 when point 5, where the sensitivity of sensor 6 is low, is pressed.

[0056] 15, it can be seen that if the distance D4 in the front-rear direction between the rear ends of the multiple first slits SL1 and the sensor 6 is 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less (i.e., models 6 and 7), the value obtained by dividing the amount of charge generated by the sensor 6 when point 13 is pressed by the amount of charge generated when point 5 is pressed becomes small. In other words, it can be seen that the difference between the sensitivity of the sensor 6 when point 5 is pressed and the sensitivity of the sensor 6 when point 13 is pressed is small. From the above, the inventors of the present application confirmed that it is preferable that the distance D4 in the front-rear direction between the rear ends of the multiple first slits SL1 and the sensor 6 is 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

[0057] Also, in model 8, similarly to models 6 and 7, it can be seen that the value obtained by dividing the amount of charge generated by sensor 6 when point 13 is pressed by the amount of charge generated when point 5 is pressed becomes smaller. Therefore, since the distance D22 between the rear end of the outer first slits (first slits SL1L, SL1R) and the sensor 6 is shorter than the distance D21 between the rear end of the central first slit SL1C and the sensor 6, the difference in sensitivity of sensor 6 among points 1 to 25 on the operation panel 2 becomes smaller.

[0058] (First Modification) Hereinafter, an electronic device 1a according to a first modified example will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 16 is a top view of the sensor 6 and the plate-like member 7 of the electronic device 1a.

[0059] The electronic device 1a differs from the electronic device 1 in the direction in which the slits SL extend. More specifically, the multiple slits SL extend in the left-right direction. When the multiple slits SL extend in the left-right direction, the rigidity of the plate-like member 7 also decreases. Therefore, like the electronic device 1, the electronic device 1a can accurately detect the magnitude of the force with which the user presses the operation panel 2.

[0060] (Second Modification) Hereinafter, an electronic device 1b according to a second modified example will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 17 is a top view of the sensor 6 and the plate-like member 7 of the electronic device 1b.

[0061] The electronic device 1b differs from the electronic device 1 in the direction in which the multiple slits SL extend. More specifically, the multiple slits SL extend in a direction intersecting the front-rear and left-right directions. That is, the multiple slits SL extend linearly and obliquely relative to the front-rear and left-right directions. Even when the multiple slits SL extend in a direction intersecting the front-rear and left-right directions, the rigidity of the plate-like member 7 decreases. Therefore, like the electronic device 1, the electronic device 1b can accurately detect the magnitude of the force with which the user presses the operation panel 2.

[0062] (Other variations) Hereinafter, electronic devices according to other modified examples will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 18 is a top view of the sensor 6 and the plate-shaped member 7 of model 9. Fig. 19 is a top view of the sensor 6 and the plate-shaped member 7 of model 10. Fig. 20 is a graph showing the amount of charge generated by the sensor 6 when point 13 is pressed. Fig. 21 is a graph showing the amount of charge generated by the sensor 6 when point 5 is pressed. Fig. 22 is a graph showing the amount of charge generated by the sensor 6 when point 13 is pressed divided by the amount of charge generated by the sensor 6 when point 5 is pressed.

[0063] The multiple slits SL do not have to extend in the same direction. In the model 9 shown in FIG. 18, the multiple first slits SL1 include multiple first slits SL1l and multiple first slits SL1r. The multiple first slits SL1l are provided in the plate-shaped member 7 in the left part of the first region A1. The multiple first slits SL1l extend in the right front direction. The multiple first slits SL1r are provided in the plate-shaped member 7 in the right part of the first region A1. The multiple first slits SL1r extend in the left front direction. The multiple second slits SL2 have a structure symmetrical to the multiple first slits SL1 in the front-rear direction, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0064] In addition, in the model 10 shown in FIG. 19, the first slits SL1 include a plurality of first slits SL1l and a plurality of first slits SL1r. The first slits SL1l are provided in the plate-shaped member 7 in the left part of the second region A2. The first slits SL1l extend in the left front direction. The first slits SL1r are provided in the plate-shaped member 7 in the right part of the second region A2. The first slits SL1r extend in the right front direction. The second slits SL2 have a structure symmetrical to the first slits SL1 in the front-rear direction, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0065] The inventor of the present application also performed a second simulation for Models 9 and 10. Specifically, the inventor of the present application calculated, by a computer, the amount of charge generated by the sensor 6 when points 5 and 13 of Models 9 and 10 were pressed with a force of 1 N.

[0066] 20 and 21, it can be seen that the amount of charge generated by the sensor 6 in Models 9 and 10 is greater than the amount of charge generated by the sensor 6 in Model 4. This shows that the sensitivity of the sensor 6 is improved by providing the linear slits SL in the plate-like member 7.

[0067] Incidentally, in electronic device 1, it is preferable that the difference in sensitivity of sensor 6 is small among points 1 to 25 of operation panel 2. In other words, it is preferable that the difference in the amount of charge generated by sensor 6 when points 1 to 25 of operation panel 2 are pressed is small. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 22, the inventor of the present application calculated the value obtained by dividing the amount of charge generated by sensor 6 when point 13, where the sensitivity of sensor 6 is high, is pressed by the amount of charge generated by sensor 6 when point 5, where the sensitivity of sensor 6 is low, is pressed.

[0068] 22, it can be seen that in model 9, the value obtained by dividing the amount of charge generated by sensor 6 when point 13 is pressed by the amount of charge generated when point 5 is pressed is smaller than in model 4. That is, it can be seen that in model 9, the difference in sensitivity of sensor 6 when point 5 is pressed and the sensitivity of sensor 6 when point 13 is pressed is smaller than in model 4. From the above, in model 9, the difference in sensitivity of sensor 6 among points 1 to 25 on operation panel 2 is smaller.

[0069] Second embodiment Hereinafter, an electronic device 1c according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the sensor 6 and the plate-shaped member 7 of the electronic device 1c.

[0070] The electronic device 1c differs from the electronic device 1 in that the left and right ends of the plate-like member 7 are bent downward. When the user presses the operation panel, the operation panel deforms so as to protrude downward from the position where the user presses the operation panel. Accordingly, the plate-like member also deforms so as to protrude downward like the operation panel. At this time, the plate-like member is stretched in the front-rear and left-right directions. The sensor and the piezoelectric film are also stretched in the front-rear and left-right directions like the plate-like member. Since the polarity of the charge generated by the sensor differs due to the sensor being stretched in the front-rear and left-right directions, the charge generated by the sensor is offset. In this case, the accuracy of detecting the magnitude of the force with which the user presses the operation panel decreases.

[0071] Therefore, in electronic device 1c, the left and right ends of plate-like member 7 are bent upward or downward. This reduces the deformation in the front-rear direction of plate-like member 7 when the user presses operation panel 2. That is, the amount of expansion of plate-like member 7 in the front-rear direction is reduced. This similarly reduces the amount of expansion of sensor 6 and piezoelectric film 14 in the front-rear direction. And the amount of offset of electric charge generated by sensor 6 is reduced. As a result, in electronic device 1b, like electronic device 1, the magnitude of the force with which the user presses operation panel 2 can be detected with high accuracy.

[0072] Third embodiment Hereinafter, an electronic device 1d according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 24 shows a top view and a cross-sectional view of the sensor 6 and the plate-like member 7 of the electronic device 1d. Fig. 25 shows the amount of deformation of each part of the model 3 when the point 13 is pressed. The color bar in Fig. 25 indicates that the amount of deformation increases toward the top.

[0073] The electronic device 1d differs from the electronic device 1 in that a plurality of ribs LB are provided on the plate-shaped member 7 instead of a plurality of slits SL. The ribs LB are stripe-like protrusions formed by providing grooves in the upward or downward direction of the plate-shaped member 7. The rest of the structure of the electronic device 1d is the same as that of the electronic device 1, so a description thereof will be omitted. The electronic device 1d can achieve the same effects as the electronic device 1.

[0074] The inventors of the present application performed Simulation 1 to confirm the effects of the electronic device 1d. Model 3 shown in Fig. 24 was created. In Model 3, ribs LB are provided instead of slits SL. The depth of the ribs LB is 0.2 mm, and the width of the ribs LB is 0.5 mm.

[0075] In simulation 1, the inventors of the present application used a computer to calculate the amount of left-right deformation of the plate-like member 7 when point 13 on model 3 is pressed with a force of 1 N, and the amount of charge generated by the sensor 6 when points 13 and 15 on model 3 are pressed with a force of 1 N.

[0076] 25, it can be seen that the amount of deformation in the left-right direction of model 3 is larger than the amount of deformation in the left-right direction of model 1. The amount of deformation in model 1 was 130 nm. The amount of deformation in model 3 was 220 nm. In this way, it can be seen that by providing a plurality of ribs LB on the plate-shaped member 7, the plate-shaped member 7 becomes more easily deformed in the left-right direction.

[0077] 8, it can be seen that the amount of charge generated by the sensor 6 in model 3 is greater than the amount of charge generated by the sensor 6 in model 1. This shows that the sensitivity of the sensor 6 is improved both when the center (point 13) of the operation panel 2 is pressed and when the edge (point 15) of the operation panel 2 is pressed. In other words, it can be seen that the linear rib LB provided on the plate-like member 7 makes it possible to accurately detect the magnitude of the force with which the user presses the operation panel 2.

[0078] (Other embodiments) The electronic devices 1, 1a to 1d according to the present invention are not limited to the electronic devices 1, 1a to 1d, and can be modified within the scope of the gist thereof.

[0079] Furthermore, the structures of the electronic devices 1, 1a to 1d may be combined in any desired manner.

[0080] In the electronic device 1, the piezoelectric film 14 may be a PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) film.

[0081] It should be noted that in the electronic device 1, the housing 3 and the adhesive member 5 are not essential components.

[0082] The adhesive member 5 does not necessarily have to be waterproof.

[0083] It is sufficient that one or more slits SL are provided. That is, the number of the one or more slits SL may be one or more.

[0084] One or more slits SL may be provided in either the first region A1 or the second region A2.

[0085] It should be noted that the one or more slits SL do not have to be straight, and therefore the one or more slits SL may be curved.

[0086] The one or more slits SL may or may not be in contact with the outer edge of the plate-like member 7 when viewed in the up-down direction.

[0087] The distance D4 in the front-rear direction between the rear ends of the first slits SL1 and the sensor 6 may be shorter than 5 mm or longer than 10 mm.

[0088] In addition, the two sides extending in the front-rear direction may be short sides, and the two sides extending in the left-right direction may be long sides.

[0089] The sensor 6 may be provided at a position other than the center of the plate member 7 in the front-rear direction when viewed in the up-down direction.

[0090] The operation panel 2 may be a resin plate.

[0091] The sensor 6 does not necessarily have a longitudinal direction extending in the left-right direction, but may have a longitudinal direction extending in the front-rear direction.

[0092] The plate-like member 7 of the electronic device 1c may be provided with the slits SL of the models 2, 5 to 10, and the electronic devices 1a and 1b. Such an electronic device 1c can also provide the same effects as the electronic device 1. The plate-like member 7 of the electronic device 1c may be provided with ribs LB.

[0093] The arrangement of the ribs LB of the plate-like member 7 of the electronic device 1d may be the same as the arrangement of the slits SL of the models 2, 5 to 10, and the electronic devices 1a and 1b. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1,1a~1d:Electronic equipment 2: Operation panel 3: Housing 4: Display panel 5: Adhesive material 6: Sensor 7: Plate-shaped member 14: Piezoelectric film 15a: Upper electrode 15b: Lower electrode 16: Base material 18,20: Adhesive layer A1:First area A2:Second area C1: Center LB: Rib Op: Opening SL: Slit SL1, SL1R, SL1l, SL1r: First slit SL1C: First central slit SL2: Second slit

Claims

1. an operation panel having an upper main surface and a lower main surface aligned in a vertical direction, the operation panel being in contact with a part of a user's body or an operation member; a display panel having upper and lower main surfaces aligned in a vertical direction and fixed to the lower main surface of the operation panel; a plate-like member having upper and lower main surfaces aligned in a vertical direction and fixed to the lower main surface of the display panel; a sensor fixed to a lower main surface of the plate-like member and configured to detect deformation of the operation panel; It is equipped with each of an upper principal surface and a lower principal surface of the operation panel, an upper principal surface and a lower principal surface of the display panel, and an upper principal surface and a lower principal surface of the plate-like member has a rectangular shape having two sides extending in a front-rear direction and two sides extending in a left-right direction; In a first region in front of the sensor or in a second region behind the sensor when viewed in the up-down direction, one or more linear slits or one or more linear ribs are provided in the plate-like member. electronic equipment.

2. The one or more slits or the one or more ribs extend in the front-rear direction.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1.

3. The number of the one or more slits or the one or more ribs is plural, The plurality of slits or the one or more ribs include a plurality of first slits or a plurality of first ribs arranged to be aligned in the left-right direction in the first region.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2.

4. A distance in a front-rear direction between rear ends of the first slits and the sensor is 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

4. The electronic device according to claim 3.

5. Among the plurality of first slits, the first slit located closest to the center of the plate-like member in the left-right direction is referred to as a central first slit, Among the plurality of first slits, the first slit located farthest from the center in the left-right direction of the plate-like member is referred to as an outer first slit, a distance between a rear end of the outer first slit and the sensor in a front-rear direction is shorter than a distance between a rear end of the central first slit and the sensor in a front-rear direction; 4. The electronic device according to claim 3.

6. Among the plurality of first ribs, the first rib located closest to the center of the plate-like member in the left-right direction is referred to as a central first rib, Among the plurality of first ribs, the first rib located farthest from the center in the left-right direction of the plate-like member is referred to as an outer first rib, a distance in a front-rear direction between a rear end of the outer first rib and the sensor is shorter than a distance in a front-rear direction between a rear end of the central first rib and the sensor; 4. The electronic device according to claim 3.

7. The plurality of slits or the plurality of ribs include a plurality of second slits or a plurality of second ribs arranged to be aligned in the left-right direction in the second region.

4. The electronic device according to claim 2 or 3.

8. The one or more slits or the one or more ribs extend in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction and the left-right direction.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1.

9. The one or more slits or the one or more ribs extend in the left-right direction.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1.

10. The two sides extending in the front-rear direction are long sides, The two sides extending in the left-right direction are short sides.

10. The electronic device according to claim 1.

11. The left and right ends of the plate-like member are bent.

11. The electronic device according to claim 1.

12. The sensor is located at the center of the plate-like member in the front-rear direction when viewed in the up-down direction.

12. The electronic device according to claim 1.

13. The sensor has a longitudinal direction extending in the left-right direction.

13. The electronic device according to claim 1.

14. The front and rear ends of the plate-like member are bent upward or downward.

14. The electronic device according to claim 1.

15. an operation panel having an upper main surface and a lower main surface aligned in a vertical direction, the operation panel being in contact with a part of a user's body or an operation member; a display panel having upper and lower main surfaces aligned in a vertical direction and fixed to the lower main surface of the operation panel; a plate-like member having upper and lower main surfaces aligned in a vertical direction and fixed to the lower main surface of the display panel; a sensor fixed to a lower main surface of the plate-like member and configured to detect deformation of the operation panel; It is equipped with each of an upper principal surface and a lower principal surface of the operation panel, an upper principal surface and a lower principal surface of the display panel, and an upper principal surface and a lower principal surface of the plate-like member has a rectangular shape having two sides extending in a front-rear direction and two sides extending in a left-right direction; The left and right ends of the plate-like member are bent upward or downward. electronic equipment.

Images