Sensor modules, touch panels and electronic devices

Abstract

In this sensor module, each of one or more first electrodes is positioned on the positive side in a Z-axis of a piezoelectric film, and each of one or more second electrodes is positioned on the negative side in the Z-axis of the piezoelectric film. Each of a plurality of transmission electrodes is positioned on the negative side in the Z-axis of a plurality of reception electrodes. A touch sensor outputs a second signal on the basis of the capacitance value of a capacitance produced between the plurality of transmission electrodes and the plurality of reception electrodes. The plurality of transmission electrodes include a plurality of first non-overlapping portions that do not overlap the plurality of reception electrodes when viewed in the Z-axis direction. The plurality of reception electrodes include a plurality of second non-overlapping portions that do not overlap the plurality of transmission electrodes when viewed in the Z-axis direction. The plurality of first non-overlapping portions or the plurality of second non-overlapping portions do not overlap the one or more first electrodes and the one or more second electrodes when viewed in the Z-axis direction.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor module including a sensor that detects deformation of a member. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a touch sensor that includes a housing, a plate, a pressure detection sensor, and a position detection sensor. The position detection sensor, pressure detection sensor, and plate are aligned in this order in the positive direction of the Z axis. The outer peripheries of the plate, pressure detection sensor, and position detection sensor are fixed to the housing. The position detection sensor detects the position on the plate that the user touches.

[0003] The pressure detection sensor detects a force applied to the plate by a user. The pressure detection sensor includes a piezoelectric film, a first piezoelectric detection electrode, and a second piezoelectric detection electrode. The piezoelectric film is located between the first piezoelectric detection electrode and the second piezoelectric detection electrode. The first piezoelectric detection electrode and the second piezoelectric detection electrode each have a ring shape when viewed in the thickness direction of the touch sensor. The first piezoelectric detection electrode and the second piezoelectric detection electrode each are provided on the outer periphery of the plate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-184425 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the field of touch sensors described in Patent Document 1, it is desired that sensors that detect deformation of members be able to more easily detect deformation of members.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a sensor module that enables a sensor for detecting deformation of a member to more easily detect deformation of the member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The sensor module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: An elastic member; a piezoelectric sensor having a piezoelectric film, one or more first electrodes, and one or more second electrodes; a touch sensor having a plurality of transmitting electrodes and a plurality of receiving electrodes; It is equipped with the elastic member, the piezoelectric sensor, and the touch sensor are arranged in this order in the negative direction of the Z axis, each of the one or more first electrodes is located on the positive side of the Z axis from the piezoelectric film; each of the one or more second electrodes is located on the negative side of the Z axis relative to the piezoelectric film; the piezoelectric sensor outputs a first signal corresponding to the deformation of the elastic member; each of the plurality of transmitting electrodes is located on the negative side of the Z axis relative to the plurality of receiving electrodes; the touch sensor outputs a second signal based on a capacitance value of capacitance generated between the plurality of transmitting electrodes and the plurality of receiving electrodes; the plurality of transmitting electrodes have a plurality of first non-overlapping portions that do not overlap with the plurality of receiving electrodes when viewed in the Z-axis direction; the plurality of receiving electrodes have a plurality of second non-overlapping portions that do not overlap with the plurality of transmitting electrodes when viewed in the Z-axis direction; The plurality of first non-overlapping portions or the plurality of second non-overlapping portions do not overlap with the one or more first electrodes and the one or more second electrodes when viewed in the Z-axis direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the sensor module according to one embodiment of the present invention, the sensor that detects deformation of a member can more easily detect the deformation of the member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the sensor module 1. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sensor module 1 as seen in the positive direction of the Y axis. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a view of the piezoelectric sensor 11 as viewed in the negative direction of the Z axis. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a view of the piezoelectric film 110 viewed in the negative direction of the Z axis. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a view of the touch sensor 12 as viewed in the negative direction of the Z axis. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the plurality of receiving electrodes 121, the plurality of transmitting electrodes 122, and the piezoelectric sensor 11 as viewed in the negative direction of the Z axis. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a case where the user 200 is touching the elastic member 10. As shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a sensor module 1a according to the first modification. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a case where a user 200 is touching an elastic member 10 provided in the sensor module 1a. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a sensor module 1b according to the second modification. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a sensor module 1c according to the third modification. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a piezoelectric sensor 11d according to a first modification of the piezoelectric sensor 11c. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a piezoelectric sensor 11e according to a second modification of the piezoelectric sensor 11c. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a touch panel TP equipped with the sensor module 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a smartphone SP equipped with a touch panel TP. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] [First embodiment] A sensor module 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the sensor module 1. In FIG. 1, adhesive layers G11a, G11b, G12a, and G12b are omitted. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sensor module 1 as viewed in the positive direction of the Y axis. FIG. 3 is a view of the piezoelectric sensor 11 as viewed in the negative direction of the Z axis. FIG. 4 is a view of the piezoelectric film 110 as viewed in the negative direction of the Z axis. FIG. 5 is a view of the touch sensor 12 as viewed in the negative direction of the Z axis. FIG. 6 is a view of multiple receiving electrodes 121, multiple transmitting electrodes 122, and the piezoelectric sensor 11 as viewed in the negative direction of the Z axis. FIG. 7 is a view showing a case where a user 200 is touching the elastic member 10.

[0011] In this embodiment, directions are defined as follows. As shown in FIG. 1, the Z-axis direction is the direction in which the elastic member 10, the piezoelectric sensor 11, and the touch sensor 12 are lined up. The positive direction of the Z-axis is the direction in which the touch sensor 12, the piezoelectric sensor 11, and the elastic member 10 are lined up in this order. The negative direction of the Z-axis is the direction in which the elastic member 10, the piezoelectric sensor 11, and the touch sensor 12 are lined up in this order. The X-axis direction is the direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction. The Y-axis direction is the direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction.

[0012] The sensor module 1 is used in, for example, an electronic device such as a smartphone, etc. The sensor module 1 includes an elastic member 10, a piezoelectric sensor 11, and a touch sensor 12, as shown in FIGS.

[0013] The elastic member 10 is made of, for example, resin. As shown in FIG. 1, the elastic member 10 has a plate shape with long sides extending along the X-axis and short sides extending along the Y-axis. The elastic member 10 has elasticity. The elastic member 10 is deformed by a force applied to the elastic member 10. For example, a user 200 pushes the elastic member 10 in the negative direction of the Z-axis. The force applied to the elastic member 10 in the negative direction of the Z-axis causes the elastic member 10 to deform so as to protrude in the negative direction of the Z-axis.

[0014] 1 and 3, the piezoelectric sensor 11 has a rectangular shape with long sides extending along the X-axis and short sides extending along the Y-axis. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the piezoelectric sensor 11 has a piezoelectric film 110, a first electrode 111, a second electrode 112, a first dielectric layer 113, adhesive layers G11a and G11b, and a detection circuit (not shown).

[0015] 1 and 4, the piezoelectric film 110 has a sheet shape with long sides extending along the X-axis and short sides extending along the Y-axis. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the piezoelectric film 110 includes a piezoelectric film first principal surface SF1a and a piezoelectric film second principal surface SF2a that are aligned along the Z-axis. The piezoelectric film first principal surface SF1a and the piezoelectric film second principal surface SF2a are aligned in this order in the negative direction of the Z-axis.

[0016] The piezoelectric film 110 generates a charge according to the amount of deformation of the piezoelectric film 110. The polarity of the charge generated when the piezoelectric film 110 is stretched in the X-axis direction is opposite to the polarity of the charge generated when the piezoelectric film 110 is stretched in the Y-axis direction. Specifically, the piezoelectric film 110 is a film formed from a chiral polymer. An example of a chiral polymer is polylactic acid (PLA), particularly poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). PLLA has a helical main chain structure. PLLA exhibits piezoelectricity in which the molecules are oriented when uniaxially stretched. In this embodiment, the material of the piezoelectric film 110 is polylactic acid. The piezoelectric film 110 has a piezoelectric constant of d14. As shown in FIG. 4, the uniaxial stretching direction OD of the piezoelectric film 110 forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. This 45 degrees includes, for example, an angle of approximately 45 degrees ±10 degrees. As a result, the piezoelectric film 110 generates an electric charge when the piezoelectric film 110 is stretched in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction. For example, when the piezoelectric film 110 is stretched in the X-axis direction, it generates a positive electric charge. For example, when the piezoelectric film 110 is stretched in the Y-axis direction, it generates a negative electric charge. The magnitude of the electric charge depends on the differential value of the deformation amount of the piezoelectric film 110 due to the stretching or compression.

[0017] The first electrode 111 is a reference electrode connected to a reference potential. The first electrode 111 is located on the positive side of the Z axis relative to the piezoelectric film 110. The first electrode 111 is provided on the first main surface SF1a of the piezoelectric film. The first electrode 111 is fixed to the first main surface SF1a of the piezoelectric film with an adhesive (not shown) such as OCA (Optically Clear Adhesive). The material of the first electrode 111 is, for example, indium tin oxide (ITO).

[0018] The first electrode 111 includes three types of portions with different shapes. Specifically, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the first electrode 111 includes a plurality of first electrode first portions 111A, a plurality of first electrode second portions 111B, and a plurality of first electrode third portions 111C.

[0019] In this embodiment, each of the multiple first electrode first portions 111A has a square shape when viewed in the Z-axis direction. The shapes of each of the multiple first electrode first portions 111A are the same when viewed in the Z-axis direction. The multiple first electrode first portions 111A are arranged in a matrix on the first principal surface SF1a of the piezoelectric film. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, multiple sets ST of multiple first electrode first portions 111A arranged along the X-axis are provided on the first principal surface SF1a of the piezoelectric film. The multiple sets are arranged at equal intervals along the Y-axis. The multiple first electrode first portions 111A are not in contact with each other. The multiple first electrode first portions 111A do not overlap each other when viewed in the Z-axis direction.

[0020] 1 and 3, each of the multiple first electrode second portions 111B extends along the X-axis. The length of each of the multiple first electrode second portions 111B in the Y-axis direction is shorter than the length of each of the multiple first electrode first portions 111A in the Y-axis direction. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, each of the multiple first electrode second portions 111B electrically connects two adjacent first electrode first portions 111A among the multiple first electrode first portions 111A lined up along the X-axis.

[0021] 1 and 3, each of the multiple first electrode third portions 111C extends along the Y axis. Each of the multiple first electrode third portions 111C electrically connects two adjacent first electrode first portions 111A among the multiple first electrode first portions 111A lined up along the Y axis. The length in the X axis direction of each of the multiple first electrode third portions 111C is shorter than the length in the X axis direction of the multiple first electrode first portions 111A.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first dielectric layer 113 has a sheet shape with long sides extending along the X-axis and short sides extending along the Y-axis. The first dielectric layer 113 is located on the negative side of the Z-axis relative to the piezoelectric film 110. The first dielectric layer 113 includes a first dielectric layer first main surface SF1b and a first dielectric layer second main surface SF2b aligned along the Z-axis. The first dielectric layer first main surface SF1b and the first dielectric layer second main surface SF2b are aligned in this order in the negative direction of the Z-axis. The first dielectric layer 113 has dielectric properties. Examples of materials for the first dielectric layer 113 include PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), PP (polypropylene), etc.

[0023] The second electrode 112 is a signal electrode. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second electrode 112 is located on the negative side of the Z axis relative to the piezoelectric film 110. The second electrode 112 is provided on the first main surface SF1b of the first dielectric layer. The second electrode 112 is fixed to the first main surface SF1b of the first dielectric layer with an adhesive (not shown) such as OCA. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the second electrode 112 overlaps with the first electrode 111 when viewed in the Z axis direction. The material of the second electrode 112 is, for example, ITO.

[0024] 1 and 3, the second electrode 112 includes three types of portions with different shapes, similar to the first electrode 111. The second electrode 112 includes a plurality of second electrode first portions 112A, a plurality of second electrode second portions 112B, and a plurality of second electrode third portions 112C.

[0025] Similar to the plurality of first electrode first portions 111A, the plurality of second electrode first portions 112A are arranged in a matrix on the first dielectric layer first main surface SF1b (see FIGS. 1 and 3). When viewed in the Z-axis direction, the plurality of second electrode first portions 112A overlap with the plurality of first electrode first portions 111A. Other configurations of the plurality of second electrode first portions 112A are the same as those of the plurality of first electrode first portions 111A, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0026] Each of the plurality of second electrode second portions 112B electrically connects two adjacent second electrode first portions 112A among the plurality of second electrode first portions 112A aligned along the X-axis. Each of the plurality of second electrode second portions 112B overlaps with the plurality of first electrode second portions 111B when viewed in the Z-axis direction. The other configurations of each of the plurality of second electrode second portions 112B are the same as the configurations of the plurality of first electrode second portions 111B, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0027] Each of the plurality of second electrode third portions 112C electrically connects two adjacent second electrode first portions 112A among the plurality of second electrode first portions 112A aligned along the Y axis. Each of the plurality of second electrode third portions 112C overlaps with the plurality of first electrode third portions 111C when viewed in the Z axis direction. The other configurations of each of the plurality of second electrode third portions 112C are the same as the configurations of the plurality of first electrode third portions 111C, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0028] 2, the adhesive layer G11a is located between the elastic member 10 and the piezoelectric film 110. The adhesive layer G11a is located around the first electrode 111. The piezoelectric film 110 is fixed to the elastic member 10 by the adhesive layer G11a.

[0029] 2, the adhesive layer G11b (first adhesive layer) is located between the first dielectric layer 113 and the piezoelectric film 110. The adhesive layer G11b is located around the second electrode 112. The first dielectric layer 113 is fixed to the piezoelectric film 110 by the adhesive layer G11b.

[0030] The detection circuit is electrically connected to the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112. The detection circuit converts the charge generated by the piezoelectric film 110 into a voltage signal. The detection circuit generates a first signal, which is a digital signal, by AD converting the voltage signal.

[0031] The piezoelectric sensor 11 outputs a first signal corresponding to the deformation of the elastic member 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the piezoelectric sensor 11 is fixed to the elastic member 10 by an adhesive layer G11b. This causes the piezoelectric sensor 11 to deform in accordance with the deformation of the elastic member 10. The piezoelectric sensor 11 outputs a first signal corresponding to the deformation of the piezoelectric sensor 11. The piezoelectric sensor 11 outputs the first signal based on the potential difference between the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112.

[0032] 1 and 5, the touch sensor 12 has a plate shape with long sides extending along the X-axis and short sides extending along the Y-axis. Specifically, the touch sensor 12 is a capacitive touch sensor. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 6, the touch sensor 12 includes a second dielectric layer 120, a plurality of receiving electrodes 121, a plurality of transmitting electrodes 122, a third dielectric layer 123, an adhesive layer G12a, an adhesive layer G12b, a transmitting circuit 124, and a receiving circuit 125.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the second dielectric layer 120 has a sheet shape with long sides extending along the X-axis and short sides extending along the Y-axis. As shown in FIG. 2, the second dielectric layer 120 is located on the negative side of the Z-axis relative to the first dielectric layer 113. Therefore, the second dielectric layer 120 is located on the negative side of the Z-axis relative to the piezoelectric film 110. The second dielectric layer 120 includes a second dielectric layer first main surface SF1c and a second dielectric layer second main surface SF2c that are aligned along the Z-axis. The second dielectric layer first main surface SF1c and the second dielectric layer second main surface SF2c are aligned in this order in the negative direction of the Z-axis. The other configurations of the second dielectric layer 120 are the same as those of the first dielectric layer 113, and therefore will not be described here.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the multiple receiving electrodes 121 is provided on the first main surface SF1c of the second dielectric layer. Each of the multiple receiving electrodes 121 is fixed to the first main surface SF1c of the second dielectric layer by an adhesive (not shown) such as OCA. Each of the multiple receiving electrodes 121 extends along the Y axis as shown in FIG. 5. Each of the multiple receiving electrodes 121 is arranged at equal intervals along the X axis. Each of the multiple receiving electrodes 121 is not in contact with each other. Each of the multiple receiving electrodes 121 does not overlap each other when viewed in the Z axis direction. The material of each of the multiple receiving electrodes 121 is, for example, ITO.

[0035] Each of the plurality of receiving electrodes 121 includes two types of portions with different shapes. Specifically, each of the plurality of receiving electrodes 121 includes a plurality of receiving electrode first portions 121A and a plurality of receiving electrode second portions 121B.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, each of the multiple receiving electrode first portions 121A has a square shape when viewed in the Z-axis direction. When viewed in the Z-axis direction, each of the multiple receiving electrode first portions 121A has the same shape. Like the multiple first electrode first portions 111A, the multiple receiving electrode first portions 121A are arranged in a matrix on the first main surface SF1c of the second dielectric layer. In this embodiment, each of the multiple receiving electrode first portions 121A overlaps with the multiple first electrode first portions 111A when viewed in the Z-axis direction (see FIGS. 1, 2, and 6).

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, each of the multiple receiving electrode second portions 121B extends along the Y-axis. The width of each of the multiple receiving electrode second portions 121B in the X-axis direction is shorter than the width of the multiple receiving electrodes 121 in the X-axis direction. Each of the multiple receiving electrode second portions 121B electrically connects two adjacent receiving electrode first portions 121A among the multiple receiving electrode first portions 121A lined up along the Y-axis. In this embodiment, each of the multiple receiving electrode second portions 121B overlaps with the multiple first electrode second portions 111B and the multiple second electrode second portions 112B when viewed in the Z-axis direction.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 2, the third dielectric layer 123 is located on the negative side of the Z axis relative to the second dielectric layer 120. The third dielectric layer 123 includes a third dielectric layer first main surface SF1d and a third dielectric layer second main surface SF2d that are aligned along the Z axis. The third dielectric layer first main surface SF1d and the third dielectric layer second main surface SF2d are aligned in this order in the negative direction of the Z axis. The other configuration of the third dielectric layer 123 is the same as that of the second dielectric layer 120, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0039] Each of the multiple transmitting electrodes 122 is located on the negative side of the Z axis relative to the multiple receiving electrodes 121. Each of the multiple transmitting electrodes 122 is provided on the first main surface SF1d of the third dielectric layer. Each of the multiple transmitting electrodes 122 is fixed to the first main surface SF1d of the third dielectric layer with an adhesive (not shown) such as OCA. Each of the multiple transmitting electrodes 122 extends along the X axis as shown in FIG. 5. Each of the multiple transmitting electrodes 122 is arranged at equal intervals in the Y axis direction. Each of the multiple transmitting electrodes 122 is not in contact with each other. Each of the multiple transmitting electrodes 122 does not overlap each other when viewed in the Z axis direction. The material of each of the multiple transmitting electrodes 122 is, for example, ITO.

[0040] Each of the plurality of transmitting electrodes 122 includes two types of portions with different shapes. Each of the plurality of transmitting electrodes 122 includes a plurality of transmitting electrode first portions 122A and a plurality of transmitting electrode second portions 122B.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5, each of the multiple transmitting electrode first portions 122A has a square shape when viewed in the Z-axis direction. When viewed in the Z-axis direction, each of the multiple transmitting electrode first portions 122A has the same shape. Like the multiple first electrode first portions 111A, each of the multiple transmitting electrode first portions 122A is arranged in a matrix on the third dielectric layer 123. In this embodiment, each of the multiple transmitting electrode first portions 122A does not overlap with the first electrode 111 or the second electrode 112, as shown in FIG. 6. Each of the multiple transmitting electrode first portions 122A does not overlap with the multiple receiving electrodes 121.

[0042] Each of the multiple transmitting electrode second portions 122B has a shape extending along the X-axis. The length of each of the multiple transmitting electrode second portions 122B in the Y-axis direction is shorter than the length of each of the multiple transmitting electrode first portions 122A in the Y-axis direction. Each of the multiple transmitting electrode second portions 122B electrically connects two adjacent transmitting electrode first portions 122A among the multiple transmitting electrode first portions 122A lined up along the X-axis.

[0043] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 , a portion of each of the plurality of transmitting electrode second portions 122B overlaps with the plurality of receiving electrode second portions 121B in the Z-axis direction. More specifically, the center and its vicinity in the X-axis direction of each of the plurality of transmitting electrode second portions 122B overlap with the receiving electrode second portion 121B. That is, as shown in FIG. 5 , the plurality of transmitting electrodes 122 have a plurality of first overlapping portions T1 that overlap with the plurality of receiving electrodes 121 in the Z-axis direction. Furthermore, the plurality of transmitting electrodes 122 have a plurality of first non-overlapping portions NT1 that do not overlap with the plurality of receiving electrodes 121 in the Z-axis direction. Each of the plurality of first non-overlapping portions NT1 is a portion of the plurality of transmitting electrodes 122 other than the plurality of first overlapping portions T1. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 5 , each of the plurality of first non-overlapping portions NT1 includes the plurality of transmitting electrode first portions 122A and both end portions of each of the plurality of transmitting electrode second portions 122B in the X-axis direction.

[0044] 6, in this embodiment, the multiple first non-overlapping portions NT1 do not overlap with the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112 when viewed in the Z-axis direction. Each of the multiple transmitting electrode first portions 122A and both end portions of each of the multiple transmitting electrode second portions 122B in the X-axis direction do not overlap with the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112 when viewed in the Z-axis direction.

[0045] In the above configuration, as shown in Fig. 6, it is sufficient that the center of gravity Gr of each of the plurality of transmitter electrode first portions 122A does not overlap with the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112. Therefore, the portions of each of the plurality of transmitter electrode first portions 122A other than the center of gravity Gr may overlap with the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112. In this embodiment, the center of gravity Gr means the center of gravity when viewed in the Z-axis direction, unless otherwise specified. Therefore, the center of gravity Gr in this embodiment is the center of gravity in a two-dimensional plane.

[0046] 2, the adhesive layer G12a is located between the first dielectric layer 113 and the second dielectric layer 120. The second dielectric layer 120 is fixed to the first dielectric layer 113 by the adhesive layer G12a. The adhesive layer G12a is located around the multiple receiving electrodes 121.

[0047] 2, the adhesive layer G12b (second adhesive layer) is located between the second dielectric layer 120 and the third dielectric layer 123. The third dielectric layer 123 is fixed to the second dielectric layer 120 by the adhesive layer G12b. The adhesive layer G12b is located around the plurality of transmitting electrodes 122.

[0048] The transmission circuit 124 transmits a signal (hereinafter referred to as a transmission signal) to each of the multiple transmission electrodes 122. The transmission circuit 124 is, for example, an electric circuit including a multiplexer. The multiplexer selects the multiple transmission electrodes 122 one by one in sequence. The transmission circuit 124 transmits the transmission signal to one transmission electrode 122 selected by the multiplexer from the multiple transmission electrodes 122.

[0049] The receiving circuit 125 receives a signal (hereinafter referred to as a received signal) from each of the multiple receiving electrodes 121. The receiving circuit 125 is an electric circuit including a multiplexer. The multiplexer selects the multiple receiving electrodes 121 one by one in sequence. The receiving circuit 125 receives the received signal from one of the multiple receiving electrodes 121 selected by the multiplexer. As a result, the touch sensor 12 outputs a second signal based on the capacitance value of capacitance generated between the multiple transmitting electrodes 122 and the multiple receiving electrodes 121. The touch sensor 12 transmits the second signal to the arithmetic circuit 13.

[0050] The arithmetic circuit 13 identifies the position on the elastic member 10 that the user 200 touched, based on the second signal. Specifically, the arithmetic circuit 13 calculates a capacitance value of capacitance generated between the plurality of transmitting electrodes 122 and the plurality of receiving electrodes 121, based on the second signal. The arithmetic circuit 13 identifies the position on the elastic member 10 that the user 200 touched, based on the calculated capacitance value.

[0051] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the user 200 is not touching the elastic member 10, a capacitance having a capacitance value C1 is generated between one of the plurality of transmitting electrodes 122 and one of the plurality of receiving electrodes 121. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the user 200 touches the elastic member 10. At this time, a capacitance having a capacitance value C2 is generated between the user 200 and one of the plurality of transmitting electrodes 122 (hereinafter referred to as the detection transmitting electrode). Due to the capacitance generated between the user 200 and the detection transmitting electrode, a capacitance having a capacitance value C3, which is different from the capacitance value C1, is generated between one of the plurality of receiving electrodes 121 (hereinafter referred to as the detection receiving electrode) and the detection transmitting electrode. The capacitance value C3 is smaller than the capacitance value C1. At this time, the arithmetic circuit 13 identifies one of the plurality of transmitting electrodes 122, which has a capacitance having the capacitance value C3 between it and one of the plurality of receiving electrodes 121, as the detection transmitting electrode. Furthermore, the arithmetic circuit 13 identifies, as the detection receiving electrode, one of the multiple receiving electrodes 121 that has a capacitance having a capacitance value C3 between it and multiple transmitting electrodes 122. The arithmetic circuit 13 determines, as viewed in the Z-axis direction, the position where the detection transmitting electrode and the detection receiving electrode intersect, as the position on the elastic member 10 that is touched by the user 200.

[0052] (effect) The sensor module 1 allows the piezoelectric sensor 11 to easily detect deformation of the elastic member 10. The sensor module 1 will be compared with the touch sensor described in Patent Document 1 below. In the touch sensor described in Patent Document 1, the first piezoelectric detection electrode and the second piezoelectric detection electrode each have a ring shape when viewed in the thickness direction of the touch sensor. The first piezoelectric detection electrode and the second piezoelectric detection electrode are each provided on the outer periphery of the plate. In the touch sensor described in Patent Document 1, the outer periphery of the plate is fixed to the housing. Therefore, the outer periphery of the plate is less likely to deform than the center and its vicinity of the pressure detection sensor. Therefore, when a user presses the outer periphery of the plate, the pressure detection sensor may have difficulty detecting deformation of the plate.

[0053] On the other hand, in the sensor module 1, the multiple first electrodes 111 are provided on the entire surface of the elastic member 10. Therefore, regardless of the position where the user 200 presses the elastic member 10, the piezoelectric sensor 11 can easily detect the force applied to the elastic member 10 by the user 200.

[0054] In the touch sensor described in Patent Document 1, each of the first piezoelectric detection electrode and the second piezoelectric detection electrode has a ring shape when viewed in the thickness direction of the touch sensor. Each of the first piezoelectric detection electrode and the second piezoelectric detection electrode is provided on the outer periphery of the plate when viewed in the thickness direction of the touch sensor. Here, in the field of electronic devices such as smartphones that use the touch sensor described in Patent Document 1, it is desirable to reduce the size of the outer periphery of the electronic device (to make it bezel-less). However, if the touch sensor described in Patent Document 1 is made bezel-less, the size of the portion of the touch sensor where the first piezoelectric detection electrode and the second piezoelectric detection electrode are provided will be reduced. Therefore, the size of each of the first piezoelectric detection electrode and the second piezoelectric detection electrode may be reduced in the bezel-less touch sensor. This may result in a decrease in the sensitivity of the touch sensor.

[0055] On the other hand, in the sensor module 1, each of the multiple first electrodes 111 is provided both at and near the center of the elastic member 10 and on the outer periphery of the elastic member 10. Therefore, when an electronic device equipped with the sensor module 1 is made bezel-less, the sensitivity of the touch sensor 12 is less likely to decrease compared to a smartphone equipped with the touch sensor described in Patent Document 1.

[0056] Below, we will compare sensor module 1 with a sensor module (hereinafter referred to as Comparative Example 1) in which the piezoelectric sensor is located on the negative side of the Z axis relative to the touch sensor. In Comparative Example 1, when a user presses the elastic member, the force applied to the elastic member is transmitted to the piezoelectric sensor via the touch sensor. Therefore, in Comparative Example 1, because the piezoelectric sensor is located on the negative side of the Z axis relative to the touch sensor, it is difficult for the piezoelectric sensor to apply force. Therefore, it is difficult for the piezoelectric sensor to detect deformation of the elastic member.

[0057] On the other hand, in the sensor module 1, the piezoelectric sensor 11 is located on the positive side of the Z axis relative to the touch sensor 12. In this case, compared to Comparative Example 1, the force applied to the elastic member 10 is more easily transmitted to the piezoelectric sensor 11. Therefore, the piezoelectric sensor 11 is more likely to be deformed by the force applied to the elastic member 10. As a result, the piezoelectric sensor 11 can more easily detect the deformation of the elastic member 10.

[0058] In the sensor module 1, the piezoelectric sensor 11 is located on the positive side of the Z axis relative to the touch sensor 12. In this case, the distance between the multiple transmitting electrodes 122 in the sensor module 1 and the second electrode 112 is longer than the distance between the multiple transmitting electrodes and the first electrode in Comparative Example 1. Therefore, the multiple transmitting electrodes 122 in the sensor module 1 are less likely to generate noise compared to the multiple transmitting electrodes in Comparative Example 1. Therefore, the area of ​​the multiple transmitting electrodes 122 can be increased. This improves the sensitivity of the touch sensor 12.

[0059] In the sensor module 1, the multiple first non-overlapping portions NT1 do not overlap with the multiple receiving electrodes 121 when viewed in the Z-axis direction. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the electric field generated by the transmitting electrode 122 is less likely to be shielded by the multiple receiving electrodes 121. In addition, the multiple first non-overlapping portions NT1 do not overlap with the first electrode 111 or the second electrode 112. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the electric field generated by the transmitting electrode 122 is less likely to be shielded by the multiple receiving electrodes 121, the first electrode 111, or the second electrode 112. Therefore, capacitance is more likely to be generated between each of the multiple transmitting electrodes 122 and the user 200. As a result, the arithmetic circuit 13 can more easily identify the position on the elastic member 10 that the user 200 touched.

[0060] In the sensor module 1, the multiple first non-overlapping portions NT1 do not overlap with the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112. In this case, each of the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112 is less susceptible to the influence of noise generated by the multiple transmitting electrodes 122.

[0061] In the sensor module 1, each of the multiple receiving electrodes 121 overlaps with the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112. In this case, the magnetic field generated in the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112 is easily shielded by the multiple receiving electrodes 121. As a result, each of the multiple transmitting electrodes 122 is less susceptible to the influence of noise generated by the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112.

[0062] [Other configurations of sensor module 1] Other configurations of the sensor module 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0063] The receiving electrodes 121 have second non-overlapping portions NT2 that do not overlap with the transmitting electrodes 122 when viewed in the Z-axis direction (see FIG. 5). The second non-overlapping portions NT2 do not overlap with the first non-overlapping portions NT1 and the first overlapping portions T1.

[0064] The multiple receiving electrodes 121 have multiple second overlapping portions T2 that overlap with the multiple transmitting electrodes 122 when viewed in the Z-axis direction. Each of the multiple second overlapping portions T2 overlaps with the multiple first overlapping portions T1. Each of the multiple second overlapping portions T2 does not overlap with the multiple first non-overlapping portions NT1. In this embodiment, the multiple receiving electrodes 121 overlap with the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112 when viewed in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, the multiple second non-overlapping portions NT2 and the multiple second overlapping portions T2 overlap with the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112 when viewed in the Z-axis direction.

[0065] [Variation 1] The sensor module 1a according to Modification 1 will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the sensor module 1a according to Modification 1. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a case where a user 200 is touching the elastic member 10 provided in the sensor module 1a.

[0066] The sensor module 1a differs from the sensor module 1 in that some of the multiple receiving electrodes 121 do not overlap with the first electrodes 111 and the second electrodes 112. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the multiple second non-overlapping portions NT2 do not overlap with the multiple first electrodes 111 and the multiple second electrodes 112 when viewed in the Z-axis direction. In the above configuration, similar to the sensor module 1, the electric field generated by the multiple transmitting electrodes 122 is less likely to be shielded by the multiple receiving electrodes 121, as shown in FIG. 9. As a result, the touch sensor 12 in the sensor module 1a can more easily identify the position on the elastic member 10 that the user 200 touches.

[0067] The sensor module 1a also differs from the sensor module 1 in that the plurality of transmitting electrodes 122 overlap the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112. Specifically, the plurality of first overlapping portions T1 overlap the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112. The plurality of first non-overlapping portions NT1 overlap the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112.

[0068] Similar to the sensor module 1, in the sensor module 1a, the multiple transmitting electrodes 122 are located on the negative side of the Z axis relative to the multiple receiving electrodes 121, and the multiple second electrodes 112 are located on the positive side of the Z axis relative to the multiple receiving electrodes 121. In other words, the multiple transmitting electrodes 122 are not close to the second electrodes 112 (see FIG. 9). As a result, the electric field generated by the multiple transmitting electrodes 122 is less likely to be shielded by the second electrodes 112.

[0069] Such a sensor module 1a provides the same effects as the sensor module 1.

[0070] [Variation 2] The sensor module 1b according to the second modification will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the sensor module 1b according to the second modification.

[0071] The sensor module 1b differs from the sensor module 1 in that it includes a touch sensor 12b instead of the touch sensor 12. The touch sensor 12b differs from the touch sensor 12 in that it includes a plurality of receiving electrodes 121b instead of the plurality of receiving electrodes 121, and a plurality of transmitting electrodes 122b instead of the plurality of transmitting electrodes 122.

[0072] The shape of each of the multiple receiving electrodes 121b is different from the shape of the multiple receiving electrodes 121. Each of the multiple receiving electrodes 121b has a rectangular shape extending in the Y-axis direction. The width of each of the multiple receiving electrodes 121b in the X-axis direction is constant.

[0073] The shape of each of the multiple transmitting electrodes 122b is different from the shape of the multiple transmitting electrodes 122. Each of the multiple transmitting electrodes 122b has a rectangular shape extending in the X-axis direction. The width of each of the multiple receiving electrodes 121b in the Y-axis direction is constant. Each of the multiple transmitting electrodes 122b has multiple first non-overlapping portions NT1, similar to the multiple transmitting electrodes 122 (see FIG. 10). When viewed in the Z-axis direction, the multiple first non-overlapping portions NT1 are located between two adjacent receiving electrodes 121b among the multiple receiving electrodes 121b. In this modification, the multiple first non-overlapping portions NT1 are rectangular when viewed in the Z-axis direction.

[0074] Such a sensor module 1b provides the same effects as the sensor module 1.

[0075] [Variation 3] The sensor module 1c according to the third modification will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the sensor module 1c according to the third modification.

[0076] Sensor module 1c differs from sensor module 1 in that it includes piezoelectric sensor 11c instead of piezoelectric sensor 11. Piezoelectric sensor 11c differs from piezoelectric sensor 11 in that it includes a plurality of first electrodes 1110-1115 and a plurality of second electrodes 1120-1125.

[0077] The plurality of first electrodes 1110 to 1115 are arranged in a matrix on the piezoelectric film 110. The plurality of first electrodes 1110 to 1115 are not electrically connected to each other. The plurality of first electrodes 1110 to 1115 are electrically connected to the arithmetic circuit 13 by wiring members.

[0078] The plurality of second electrodes 1120-1125 are arranged in a matrix on the first dielectric layer 113. The plurality of second electrodes 1120-1125 are not electrically connected to one another. The plurality of second electrodes 1120-1125 are electrically connected to the arithmetic circuit 13 by wiring members. When viewed in the Z-axis direction, the plurality of second electrodes 1120-1125 overlap with the plurality of first electrodes 1110-1115.

[0079] By providing the plurality of first electrodes 1110-1115 and the plurality of second electrodes 1120-1125 on the piezoelectric film 110, the arithmetic circuit 13 receives a plurality of first signals from the piezoelectric sensor 11c. In other words, the output of the piezoelectric sensor 11c is multi-channeled. This allows the arithmetic circuit 13 to accurately obtain details of the in-plane distribution of the sensitivity of the piezoelectric sensor 11c.

[0080] [Modification 1 of Piezoelectric Sensor 11c] A piezoelectric sensor 11d according to a first modification of the piezoelectric sensor 11c will now be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a piezoelectric sensor 11d according to a first modification of the piezoelectric sensor 11c.

[0081] 12, the piezoelectric sensor 11d has a plurality of first electrodes 1110-1114 and a plurality of second electrodes 1120-1124. The first electrodes 1110-1113 and the second electrodes 1120-1123 are provided at four corners of the piezoelectric film 110 when viewed in the Z-axis direction. The first electrode 1114 and the second electrode 1124 are provided at the center of the piezoelectric film 110 and in the vicinity thereof.

[0082] In this modification, for example, the number of the plurality of first electrode first portions 111A included in the first electrode 1114 is smaller than the number of the plurality of first electrode first portions 111A included in the first electrode 1110, 1111, 1112, or 1113. In this case, the size of the first electrode 1114 (first central electrode) provided at the center of the piezoelectric film 110 among the plurality of first electrodes 1110-1114 as viewed in the Z-axis direction is smaller than the size of each of the plurality of first electrodes 1110-1113 provided around the first electrode 1114 (first central electrode) among the plurality of first electrodes 1110-1114. In this modification, the size of the first electrode 1110 specifically refers to the size of the area surrounded by the outer circumferential edge of the first electrode 1110 as viewed in the Z-axis direction. The same applies to the definition of the size of each of the first electrodes 1111-1114. 12, the first electrodes 1110-1113 are provided near the outer periphery of the piezoelectric film 110 when viewed in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, in the example shown in Fig. 12, the size of the first electrode 1114 provided in the center of the piezoelectric film 110 is smaller than the size of each of the multiple first electrodes 1110-1113 provided near the outer periphery of the piezoelectric film 110 when viewed in the Z-axis direction.

[0083] Similarly, in this modified example, when viewed in the Z-axis direction, the size of the second electrode 1124 (second central electrode) among the multiple second electrodes 1120-1124 that is located in the center of the piezoelectric film 110 is smaller than the size of each of the multiple second electrodes 1120-1123 that are located around the second electrode 1124 (second central electrode) among the multiple second electrodes 1120-1124.

[0084] The vicinity of the outer periphery of the elastic member 10 is less susceptible to deformation than the center of the elastic member 10. In this modification, the piezoelectric sensor 11d is more likely to detect deformation in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the piezoelectric film 110 by providing the plurality of first electrodes 1110-1114 and the plurality of second electrodes 1120-1124 in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the elastic member 10. In this modification, the in-plane distribution of the sensitivity of the piezoelectric sensor 11d can be made uniform by adjusting the size of each of the plurality of first electrodes 1110-1115 and the size of each of the plurality of second electrodes 1120-1125. In other words, the in-plane distribution of the sensitivity of the piezoelectric sensor 11d can be made uniform by adjusting the number of first electrode first portions 111A included in each of the plurality of first electrodes 1110-1115 and the number of second electrode first portions 112A included in each of the plurality of second electrodes 1120-1125.

[0085] The in-plane distribution of sensitivity may be adjusted by adjusting the size of each of the plurality of first electrodes 1110 to 1114. The in-plane distribution of sensitivity may be adjusted by adjusting the size of each of the plurality of second electrodes 1120 to 1124.

[0086] The in-plane distribution of sensitivity may be adjusted by adjusting the size of each of the plurality of first electrode first portions in the plurality of first electrodes 1110-1114. The in-plane distribution of sensitivity may be adjusted by adjusting the size of each of the plurality of second electrode first portions in the plurality of second electrodes 1120-1124.

[0087] [Modification 2 of Piezoelectric Sensor 11c] A piezoelectric sensor 11e according to a second modification of the piezoelectric sensor 11c will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing a piezoelectric sensor 11e according to a second modification of the piezoelectric sensor 11c.

[0088] In this modification, the piezoelectric sensor 11e has a piezoelectric film 110e instead of the piezoelectric film 110. As shown in Fig. 13, the uniaxial stretching direction ODe of the piezoelectric film 110e forms an angle of 0 degrees or 180 degrees with respect to the Y-axis direction.

[0089] In this modification, the piezoelectric sensor 11e has a plurality of first electrodes 1110-1113 and a plurality of second electrodes 1120-1123. Each of the plurality of first electrodes 1110-1113 and each of the plurality of second electrodes 1120-1123 is provided near one of the four corners of the piezoelectric film 110 when viewed in the Z-axis direction. In this case, the arithmetic circuit 13 can calculate the magnitude of the force, load, etc. applied to each of the four corners of the piezoelectric film 110.

[0090] [Touch Panel TP] The touch panel TP equipped with the sensor module 1 will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 14 is a diagram showing the touch panel TP equipped with the sensor module 1.

[0091] As shown in Fig. 14, the touch panel TP includes a sensor module 1 and an arithmetic circuit 13. The sensor module 1 in the touch panel TP includes a piezoelectric sensor 11, a touch sensor 12, and a surface panel 10a. The surface panel 10a corresponds to the elastic member in this application. The configurations of the piezoelectric sensor 11, touch sensor 12, and arithmetic circuit 13 in the touch panel TP are the same as those of the piezoelectric sensor 11, touch sensor 12, and arithmetic circuit 13 described in the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0092] The touch panel TP may include, instead of the sensor module 1, sensor modules 1a to 1c.

[0093] [Examples of electronic devices] A smartphone SP equipped with a touch panel TP will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing a smartphone SP equipped with a touch panel TP.

[0094] A smartphone SP is an example of an electronic device in the present application. As shown in FIG. 15 , the smartphone SP includes a touch panel TP, a housing 2, and a display 3. A surface panel 10a, a piezoelectric sensor 11, a touch sensor 12, an arithmetic circuit 13, and the display 3 are arranged inside the housing 2. The surface panel 10a is arranged on the outer periphery of the housing 2 so as to cover the opening of the housing 2. The display 3 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display 3 is, for example, arranged between the surface panel 10a and the piezoelectric sensor 11. Note that, although the arithmetic circuit 13 is arranged on the bottom surface of the housing 2 in FIG. 15 , it does not necessarily have to be arranged on the bottom surface of the housing 2.

[0095] It should be noted that the electronic device in this application does not necessarily have to be a smartphone, but may be, for example, a tablet computer.

[0096] [Other embodiments] The sensor module according to the present invention is not limited to the sensor modules 1, 1a to 1c, and can be modified within the scope of the gist thereof. The configurations of the sensor modules 1, 1a to 1c may be combined in any manner.

[0097] Note that each of the multiple first electrode first portions 111A does not necessarily have to have a square shape when viewed in the Z-axis direction. Note that each of the multiple second electrode first portions 112A does not necessarily have to have a square shape when viewed in the Z-axis direction. Note that each of the multiple receiving electrode first portions 121A does not necessarily have to have a square shape when viewed in the Z-axis direction. Note that each of the multiple transmitting electrode first portions 122A does not necessarily have to have a square shape when viewed in the Z-axis direction.

[0098] It should be noted that the piezoelectric sensor 11 does not necessarily have to have the first dielectric layer 113. In this case, each of the second electrodes 112 is provided on the second main surface SF2a of the piezoelectric film.

[0099] The touch sensor 12 does not necessarily have to have the third dielectric layer 123. In this case, each of the plurality of receiving electrodes 121 and each of the plurality of transmitting electrodes 122 are provided on the second main surface SF2c of the second dielectric layer.

[0100] In piezoelectric sensor 11c, the number of first electrode first portions 111A included in each of the plurality of first electrodes 1110-1115 does not necessarily have to be 6. In piezoelectric sensor 11c, the number of second electrode first portions 112A included in each of the plurality of second electrodes 1120-1125 does not necessarily have to be 6.

[0101] In piezoelectric sensor 11d or 11e, the number of first electrode first portions 111A included in each of the plurality of first electrodes 1110-1114 does not necessarily have to be 9. In piezoelectric sensor 11d, the number of second electrode first portions 112A included in each of the plurality of second electrodes 1120-1124 does not necessarily have to be 9.

[0102] In piezoelectric sensor 11d, the number of first electrode first portions 111A included in first electrode 1114 does not necessarily have to be six. In piezoelectric sensor 11d, the number of second electrode first portions 112A included in second electrode 1124 does not necessarily have to be six.

[0103] In addition, the sensor modules 1, 1a to 1c may have a structure in which the multiple first non-overlapping portions NT1 do not overlap with one or more first electrodes 111 and one or more second electrodes 112 when viewed in the Z-axis direction, and the multiple second non-overlapping portions NT2 do not overlap with one or more first electrodes 111 and one or more second electrodes 112 when viewed in the Z-axis direction.

[0104] In the sensor module 1c, the plurality of first non-overlapping portions NT1 do not overlap with the plurality of first electrodes 1110 to 1115 and the plurality of second electrodes 1120 to 1125 when viewed in the Z-axis direction. The same applies to the sensor module 1c including the piezoelectric sensor 11d or the piezoelectric sensor 11e.

[0105] In the sensor module 1c, the second non-overlapping portions NT2 do not have to overlap with the first electrodes 1110 to 1115 and the second electrodes 1120 to 1125 when viewed in the Z-axis direction. The same applies to the sensor module 1c including the piezoelectric sensor 11d or the piezoelectric sensor 11e.

[0106] The present invention has the following structure:

[0107] (1) An elastic member; a piezoelectric sensor having a piezoelectric film, one or more first electrodes, and one or more second electrodes; a touch sensor having a plurality of transmitting electrodes and a plurality of receiving electrodes; It is equipped with the elastic member, the piezoelectric sensor, and the touch sensor are arranged in this order in the negative direction of the Z axis, each of the one or more first electrodes is located on the positive side of the Z axis from the piezoelectric film; each of the one or more second electrodes is located on the negative side of the Z axis relative to the piezoelectric film; the piezoelectric sensor outputs a first signal corresponding to the deformation of the elastic member; each of the plurality of transmitting electrodes is located on the negative side of the Z axis relative to the plurality of receiving electrodes; the touch sensor outputs a second signal based on a capacitance value of capacitance generated between the plurality of transmitting electrodes and the plurality of receiving electrodes; the plurality of transmitting electrodes have a plurality of first non-overlapping portions that do not overlap with the plurality of receiving electrodes when viewed in the Z-axis direction; the plurality of receiving electrodes have a plurality of second non-overlapping portions that do not overlap with the plurality of transmitting electrodes when viewed in the Z-axis direction; the plurality of first non-overlapping portions or the plurality of second non-overlapping portions do not overlap with the one or more first electrodes and the one or more second electrodes when viewed in the Z-axis direction; Sensor module.

[0108] (2) the touch sensor further comprises a transmitting circuit and a receiving circuit; the transmitting circuit transmits a signal to each of the plurality of transmitting electrodes; the receiving circuit receives signals from the plurality of receiving electrodes; The sensor module according to (1).

[0109] (3) the piezoelectric film includes a piezoelectric film first main surface and a piezoelectric film second main surface; the first principal surface of the piezoelectric film and the second principal surface of the piezoelectric film are aligned in this order in the negative direction of the Z axis, Each of the one or more first electrodes is provided on a first main surface of the piezoelectric film. The sensor module according to (1) or (2).

[0110] (4) Each of the one or more second electrodes is provided on a second main surface of the piezoelectric film. The sensor module according to (3).

[0111] (5) The piezoelectric sensor further includes a first dielectric layer; the first dielectric layer is located on the negative side of the Z axis relative to the piezoelectric film, the first dielectric layer includes a first dielectric layer first main surface and a first dielectric layer second main surface aligned along the Z axis; the first dielectric layer first main surface and the first dielectric layer second main surface are arranged in this order in the negative direction of the Z axis, Each of the plurality of second electrodes is provided on a first main surface of the first dielectric layer. A sensor module according to any one of (1) to (3).

[0112] (6) The piezoelectric sensor further includes a first adhesive layer; the first adhesive layer is located between the first dielectric layer and the piezoelectric film; the first dielectric layer is fixed to the piezoelectric film by the first adhesive layer; (5) The sensor module according to (5).

[0113] (7) the touch sensor further comprises a second dielectric layer; the second dielectric layer is located on the negative side of the Z axis relative to the piezoelectric film, the second dielectric layer includes a second dielectric layer first main surface and a second dielectric layer second main surface aligned along the Z axis; the first main surface of the second dielectric layer and the second main surface of the second dielectric layer are arranged in this order in the negative direction of the Z axis, Each of the plurality of receiving electrodes is provided on a first main surface of the second dielectric layer. A sensor module according to any one of (1) to (6).

[0114] (8) Each of the plurality of transmitting electrodes is provided on a second main surface of the second dielectric layer. The sensor module according to (7).

[0115] (9) the touch sensor further comprises a third dielectric layer; the third dielectric layer is located on the negative side of the Z axis relative to the second dielectric layer, the third dielectric layer includes a third dielectric layer first main surface and a third dielectric layer second main surface aligned along the Z axis; the first main surface of the third dielectric layer and the second main surface of the third dielectric layer are arranged in this order in the negative direction of the Z axis, Each of the plurality of transmitting electrodes is provided on a first main surface of the third dielectric layer. The sensor module according to (7).

[0116] (10) The touch sensor further includes a second adhesive layer; the second adhesive layer is located between the second dielectric layer and the third dielectric layer; the third dielectric layer is fixed to the second dielectric layer by the second adhesive layer; The sensor module according to (9).

[0117] (11) the piezoelectric sensor has a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes; a first electrode of the plurality of first electrodes that is provided at the center of the piezoelectric film when viewed in the Z-axis direction is a first central electrode; a second electrode of the plurality of second electrodes that is provided at the center of the piezoelectric film when viewed in the Z-axis direction is a second central electrode; When viewed in the Z-axis direction, the size of the first central electrode is smaller than the size of each of the plurality of first electrodes provided around the first central electrode, among the plurality of first electrodes; When viewed in the Z-axis direction, the size of the second central electrode is smaller than the size of each of the second electrodes provided around the second central electrode among the plurality of second electrodes. A sensor module according to any one of (1) to (10).

[0118] (12) The material of the piezoelectric film is polylactic acid. A sensor module according to any one of (1) to (11). [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 1, 1a to 1c: Sensor modules 10: Elastic member 11, 11c to 11e: Piezoelectric sensors 110, 110e: Piezoelectric film 111,1110~1115: 1st electrode 112,1120~1125: 2nd electrode 12, 12b: Touch sensor 121, 121b: Receiving electrodes 122, 122b: transmitting electrodes NT1: First non-overlapping section NT2: Second non-overlapping section TP: Touch panel SP: Smartphone

Claims

1. An elastic member; a piezoelectric sensor having a piezoelectric film, one or more first electrodes, and one or more second electrodes; a touch sensor having a plurality of transmitting electrodes and a plurality of receiving electrodes; It is equipped with the elastic member, the piezoelectric sensor, and the touch sensor are arranged in this order in the negative direction of the Z axis, each of the one or more first electrodes is located on the positive side of the Z axis relative to the piezoelectric film; each of the one or more second electrodes is located on the negative side of the Z axis relative to the piezoelectric film; the piezoelectric sensor outputs a first signal corresponding to the deformation of the elastic member; each of the plurality of transmitting electrodes is located on the negative side of the Z axis relative to the plurality of receiving electrodes; the touch sensor outputs a second signal based on a capacitance value of capacitance generated between the plurality of transmitting electrodes and the plurality of receiving electrodes; the plurality of transmitting electrodes have a plurality of first non-overlapping portions that do not overlap with the plurality of receiving electrodes when viewed in the Z-axis direction; the plurality of receiving electrodes have a plurality of second non-overlapping portions that do not overlap with the plurality of transmitting electrodes when viewed in the Z-axis direction, the plurality of first non-overlapping portions or the plurality of second non-overlapping portions do not overlap with the one or more first electrodes and the one or more second electrodes when viewed in the Z-axis direction; Sensor module.

2. the touch sensor further comprises a transmitting circuit and a receiving circuit; the transmitting circuit transmits a signal to each of the plurality of transmitting electrodes; the receiving circuit receives signals from the plurality of receiving electrodes; The sensor module according to claim 1 .

3. the piezoelectric film includes a first principal surface and a second principal surface aligned along a Z axis; the first principal surface of the piezoelectric film and the second principal surface of the piezoelectric film are aligned in this order in the negative direction of the Z axis, Each of the one or more first electrodes is provided on a first main surface of the piezoelectric film. The sensor module according to claim 1 or 2.

4. Each of the one or more second electrodes is provided on a second main surface of the piezoelectric film. The sensor module according to claim 3 .

5. The piezoelectric sensor further includes a first dielectric layer; the first dielectric layer is located on the negative side of the Z axis relative to the piezoelectric film, the first dielectric layer includes a first dielectric layer first major surface and a first dielectric layer second major surface aligned along the Z axis; the first dielectric layer first main surface and the first dielectric layer second main surface are arranged in this order in the negative direction of the Z axis, Each of the one or more second electrodes is provided on a first main surface of the first dielectric layer. The sensor module according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The piezoelectric sensor further includes a first adhesive layer; the first adhesive layer is located between the first dielectric layer and the piezoelectric film; the first dielectric layer is fixed to the piezoelectric film by the first adhesive layer; The sensor module according to claim 5 .

7. The touch sensor further includes a second dielectric layer; the second dielectric layer is located on the negative side of the Z axis relative to the piezoelectric film, the second dielectric layer includes a second dielectric layer first major surface and a second dielectric layer second major surface aligned along the Z axis; the first main surface of the second dielectric layer and the second main surface of the second dielectric layer are arranged in this order in the negative direction of the Z axis, Each of the plurality of receiving electrodes is provided on a first main surface of the second dielectric layer. The sensor module according to claim 1 or 2.

8. Each of the plurality of transmitting electrodes is provided on a second main surface of the second dielectric layer. The sensor module according to claim 7 .

9. the touch sensor further comprises a third dielectric layer; the third dielectric layer is located on the negative side of the Z axis relative to the second dielectric layer, the third dielectric layer includes a third dielectric layer first major surface and a third dielectric layer second major surface aligned along the Z axis; the first main surface of the third dielectric layer and the second main surface of the third dielectric layer are arranged in this order in the negative direction of the Z axis, Each of the plurality of transmitting electrodes is provided on a first main surface of the third dielectric layer. The sensor module according to claim 7 .

10. The touch sensor further includes a second adhesive layer; the second adhesive layer is located between the second dielectric layer and the third dielectric layer; the third dielectric layer is fixed to the second dielectric layer by the second adhesive layer; The sensor module according to claim 9 .

11. the piezoelectric sensor has a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes; a first electrode of the plurality of first electrodes that is provided at the center of the piezoelectric film when viewed in the Z-axis direction is a first central electrode; a second electrode provided at the center of the piezoelectric film among the plurality of second electrodes as viewed in the Z-axis direction is a second central electrode; When viewed in the Z-axis direction, the size of the first central electrode is smaller than the size of each of the plurality of first electrodes provided around the first central electrode, When viewed in the Z-axis direction, the size of the second central electrode is smaller than the size of each of the second electrodes provided around the second central electrode among the plurality of second electrodes. The sensor module according to claim 1 or 2.

12. The material of the piezoelectric film is polylactic acid. The sensor module according to claim 1 or 2.

13. A touch panel comprising the sensor module according to claim 1 or 2.

14. A touch panel according to claim 13, electronic equipment.

Images