Position detection sensor and input device

Abstract

To prevent localized deterioration at a bent portion in a foldable electromagnetic induction coupling type position detection sensor.SOLUTION: A position detection sensor includes: a digitizer having an electrode configured to be electromagnetically coupled to a position indicator, and including an input surface for receiving an instruction input from the position indicator; and an electromagnetic sheet including a first electromagnetic sheet and a second electromagnetic sheet that are separated from each other at a folding position of the digitizer and are provided so as to cover a surface of the digitizer opposite to the input surface side that receives the instruction input from the position indicator. The first electromagnetic sheet and the second electromagnetic sheet are provided at a predetermined distance from each other in a direction along the surface of the digitizer when the digitizer is in an open state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a foldable electromagnetic induction coupling type position detection sensor and an input device.

Background Art

[0002] For example, portable devices such as mobile phone terminals and portable computers include a display element (display device) that displays characters and images. Recently, the size of the display screen has been increasing. However, the increase in the size of the display screen leads to an increase in the size of the portable device, and there is a risk that portability will be impaired.

[0003] Therefore, by using a foldable flexible display element, a portable device with a foldable housing has been proposed, which can secure a large display screen while maintaining the miniaturization of the portable device (see, for example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-510065)).

[0004] By the way, in recent portable devices, as an input device that receives an input operation by a user, a position detection sensor is disposed so as to overlap the display screen, and the position detection sensor detects the indicated position by an electronic pen held by the user, so that various operation inputs through the display screen can be received. In this case, as the position detection sensor, either an electrostatic coupling type position detection sensor or an electromagnetic induction coupling type position detection sensor is possible. When more precise position indication is possible, an electromagnetic induction coupling type position detection sensor (see, for example, Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-26235)) is used.

[0005] FIG. 11 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a portable device in which a position detection sensor of an electromagnetic induction coupling type is provided so as to overlap the display element.

[0006] As shown in Figure 11, in this example, a display element 102 is arranged on the upper side of the casing 101 of the portable device, and a position detection sensor 103 is arranged superimposed on the display element 102 on the opposite side of its display screen 102D (the back side of the display element 102). As shown in Figure 11, the position detection sensor 103 consists of a digitizer section 104 and an electromagnetic sheet section 105.

[0007] The digitizer unit 104, although not shown in the diagram, has multiple loop coils arranged on the circuit board in both the horizontal (X direction) and vertical (Y direction) directions of the display screen 102D.

[0008] The electromagnetic sheet section 105 is arranged to cover the entire side of the digitizer section 104 that is opposite to the side facing the display element 102. This electromagnetic sheet section 105 is called a magnetic path plate and consists of a first layer 1051 that constitutes the magnetic path material and a second layer 1052 for electromagnetic shielding.

[0009] The first layer (magnetic path layer) 1051, which constitutes the magnetic path material, forms a magnetic path for the alternating magnetic field generated by the loop coil of the digitizer unit 104 with respect to the electromagnetic waves transmitted and received with the electromagnetically coupled electronic pen. This prevents the divergence of the generated magnetic flux, thereby improving the detection sensitivity of the electromagnetically coupled position detection sensor 103 to the electronic pen. The second layer (electromagnetic shielding layer) 1052, which provides electromagnetic shielding, prevents the alternating magnetic field from being radiated to the outside below the electromagnetically coupled position detection sensor 103 (opposite side from the display screen 102D), and also prevents electromagnetic waves from the outside below from interfering with the electromagnetic waves transmitted and received with the electronic pen as noise.

[0010] The first layer 1051 is made of a magnetic material with high magnetic permeability, and the second layer 1052 is made of a metal sheet made of a non-magnetic material that also has high conductivity, such as aluminum. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2017-510065 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-26235 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0012] The electromagnetic induction coupling type position detection sensor 103 described above can be made bendable by using a flexible substrate as the substrate for the digitizer unit 104. Therefore, by combining a flexible display element as disclosed in Patent Document 1 with a bendable position detection sensor, it is conceivable to create a foldable portable device equipped with an input device that can accept position indications from an electronic pen.

[0013] In portable devices equipped with such input devices, the entire side of the casing when fully opened from a folded state can be used as a display screen for the flexible display element, forming a display screen twice the size of the folded state, and the same area as the display screen can be used as a detection area to detect position indications made by an electronic pen.

[0014] However, as mentioned above, it has become clear that designing portable devices in a foldable form may lead to the following problems.

[0015] In other words, in portable devices like those described above, the folded and unfolded states are frequently repeated. As a result, it was found that the position detection sensor 103 deteriorates in the bent portion 103a due to repeated folding, as shown in Figure 12. In particular, it was found that the deterioration of the metal sheet portion of the second layer 1052 of the electromagnetic sheet portion 105 is significant.

[0016] Furthermore, it was found that a problem arises in which the level of electromagnetic coupling energy between the position detection sensor 103 and the electronic pen changes locally at the bent portion 103a where the degradation occurs.

[0017] Figure 13 is a characteristic diagram showing the electromagnetic coupling level between the multiple loop coils in the X direction of the position detection sensor 103 and the electronic pen. As shown in Figure 13, when the position detection sensor 103 does not experience degradation in the bent portion as shown in Figure 12, the electromagnetic coupling level between the multiple loop coils in the X direction and the electronic pen exhibits a nearly uniform level, as shown by the dashed-dotted characteristic curve 108a.

[0018] In contrast, when the position detection sensor 103 deteriorates in the bent portion 103a as shown in Figure 12, it was found that the electromagnetic coupling level between the loop coil in the X direction and the electronic pen in the region of the bent portion 103a of the position detection sensor 103 changes locally compared to the loop coil in the X direction at other locations, as shown by the solid characteristic curve 108b.

[0019] The purpose of this invention is to provide a position detection sensor and input device that can solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0020] To solve the above problems, A digitizer having electrodes that are electromagnetically inductively coupled to a position indicator, and having an input surface that receives instruction input from the position indicator, An electromagnetic sheet including a first electromagnetic sheet and a second electromagnetic sheet, which are provided so as to cover the side of the digitizer opposite to the input side that receives instruction input from the position indicator, and which are separated from each other at the folding position of the digitizer, Equipped with, The first electromagnetic sheet and the second electromagnetic sheet are provided at a predetermined distance from each other in a direction along the surface of the digitizer when the digitizer is in the open state. Provided is a position detection sensor characterized by the following.

[0021] To solve the above problems, a digitizer having an electrode that is electromagnetically inductively coupled to a position indicator and including an input surface that receives an indication input from the position indicator, an electromagnetic sheet provided so as to cover a surface on the opposite side of the input surface side of the digitizer that receives an indication input from the position indicator of the digitizer, the electromagnetic sheet including a first electromagnetic sheet and a second electromagnetic sheet that are separated from each other at a bending position of the digitizer, are provided, the first electromagnetic sheet and the second electromagnetic sheet are provided at a predetermined interval from each other in a direction along the surface of the digitizer in a state where the digitizer is open, the electromagnetic sheet, the digitizer The in an open state, covering the predetermined interval between the first electromagnetic sheet and the second electromagnetic sheet, and in a state where the first The sheet and the second electromagnetic sheet To and and the second electromagnetic sheet To are disposed in a state where they overlap, and including a third electromagnetic sheet, Provided is a position detection sensor characterized by the following.

[0022] In the position detection sensor having the above-described configuration and an input device including the position detection sensor, since the electromagnetic sheet is divided into a first electromagnetic sheet and a second electromagnetic sheet that are separated at a bent portion during folding, the bending stress due to folding at the bent portion is reduced, and deterioration due to repeated folding is mitigated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1]This figure illustrates an overview of an example configuration of a portable device equipped with an embodiment of the input device according to this invention. [Figure 2] This is an exploded view illustrating an example configuration of an embodiment of the input device according to this invention. [Figure 3] This figure illustrates an example of the configuration of the main parts of an embodiment of the input device according to this invention. [Figure 4] This figure illustrates an example of the configuration of the main parts of an embodiment of the input device according to this invention. [Figure 5] This figure illustrates another embodiment of the position detection sensor according to this invention. [Figure 6] This figure illustrates another embodiment of the position detection sensor according to this invention. [Figure 7] This figure illustrates another example of a portable device equipped with an embodiment of the input device according to this invention. [Figure 8] This figure illustrates an example of the configuration of the main components of the portable device shown in Figure 7. [Figure 9] This figure illustrates another embodiment of the position detection sensor according to this invention. [Figure 10] This figure illustrates an example of the configuration of the main components of the portable device shown in Figure 9. [Figure 11] This diagram illustrates an example configuration of a conventional position detection sensor. [Figure 12] This is a diagram used to explain the problem of this invention. [Figure 13] This is a diagram used to explain the problem of this invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the position detection sensor according to this invention will be described with reference to the figures, along with embodiments of an input device using the position detection sensor. The following description is an example in which the functions of the input device embodiment are mounted on a portable device that has a foldable configuration using a flexible display element.

[0025] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the general configuration of a portable device equipped with the functions of an embodiment of the input device according to this invention. In this example, the portable device 1 is equipped with a flexible display element and also functions as an input device using a foldable electromagnetic induction coupling type position detection sensor. The portable device 1 in Figure 1 can also be folded (valley fold) toward the display screen side of the flexible display element.

[0026] Figure 1(A) shows the portable device 1 in this example fully open, and Figure 1(B) shows it in a folded state. Figure 1(C) shows an example of a hinge structure for making the portable device 1 in this example foldable. In the portable device 1 in this example, when opened as shown in Figure 1(A), the display screen 3P of the flexible display element 3 is exposed. When an instruction is made on this display screen 3P using an electromagnetically coupled electronic pen 10, the instruction made by the electronic pen 10 is detected by an electromagnetically coupled position detection sensor 4 located on the lower (back) side of the electronic pen 10.

[0027] In this embodiment, the display area of ​​the display screen 3P and the position detection area of ​​the position detection sensor 4 are substantially the same, the display screen 3P serves as an input surface for position indication by the electronic pen 10, and the position indicated by the electronic pen 10 across its entire surface is detected by the position detection sensor 4.

[0028] In this example, the outer casing (housing) 2 of the portable device 1 has a structure in which a first frame member 21 and a second frame member 22 are foldably connected at hinge portions 23 and 24.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1, the first frame member 21 and the second frame member 22 have wall portions 21b and 22b formed around their bottom portions 21a and 22a to form a flat recess in which the flexible display element 3, the position detection sensor 4, and the electronic circuit section (not shown) connected thereto are housed. However, no wall portion 21b is formed on the sides of the bottom portions 21a and 22a of the first frame member 21 and the second frame member 22 that face each other on the hinge portion 23 and 24 side.

[0030] Therefore, in the folded state shown in Figure 1(B), the area between the hinge portion 23 and the hinge portion 24 becomes an opening, which could allow dust to enter. In this embodiment, a protective plate 25 (see Figure 1(C)) is provided in the area between the hinge portion 23 and the hinge portion 24.

[0031] Furthermore, on the sides of the bottom portions 21a and 22a of the first frame member 21 and the second frame member 22 that face each other on the hinge portion 23 and 24 side, a connecting and holding portion (not shown in Figure 1, see Figures 3 and 4 described later) is provided to connect and hold the protective plate 25 in a state in which the first frame member 21 and the second frame member 22 can rotate when folded.

[0032] In the hinge sections 23 and 24 of the portable device 1 in this example, the first frame member 21 and the second frame member 22 are configured as a two-axis hinge, allowing them to rotate at different rotation axis positions. Since hinge sections 23 and 24 have similar configurations, only the structure of hinge section 23 will be described here, and the description of hinge section 24 will be omitted.

[0033] Specifically, as shown in Figure 1(C), a through hole 21c for fitting a pivot shaft is formed at the end of the hinge portion 23 of the wall portion 21b of the first frame member 21. Similarly, as shown in Figure 1(C), a through hole 22c for fitting a pivot shaft is formed at the end of the hinge portion 23 of the wall portion 22b of the second frame member 22.

[0034] A hinge component plate 231 is prepared, on which pins 231a and 231b are formed to be inserted through through holes 21c and 22c. In this case, the diameters of pins 231a and 231b are smaller than the diameters of through holes 21c and 22c. The pins 231a and 231b of the hinge component plate 231 are inserted through the through holes 21c in the wall portion 21b of the first frame member 21 and the through hole 22c in the wall portion 22b of the second frame member 22, respectively, so that the first frame member 21 and the second frame member 22 are rotatably connected at the hinge portion 23 by the hinge component plate 231. In this case, although not shown in the figures, anti-detachment members are fitted to the tips of pins 231a and 231b inserted through through holes 21c and 22c to prevent the hinge component plate 231 from coming loose.

[0035] The hinge portion 24 is configured similarly, with a hinge component plate 241 attached, so that the first frame member 21 and the second frame member 22 are rotatably connected at the hinge portion 24.

[0036] As described above, in the portable device 1 of this embodiment, the first frame member 21 and the second frame member 22 are rotatably connected at the hinge portion 23 and hinge portion 24, so that the outer casing 2 can be folded as shown in Figure 1(B).

[0037] [Example configuration of flexible display element 3 and position detection sensor 4] As described above, the outer casing 2 houses the flexible display element 3, the position detection sensor 4, and the electronic circuit section connected to them. Figure 2 is an exploded view illustrating the flexible display element 3 and the position detection sensor 4.

[0038] The flexible display element 3 is composed of, for example, an organic electroluminescent display (OLED) element or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and has a display screen 3P in which a large number of display pixels are arranged in the X-axis direction (horizontal direction) and the Y-axis direction (vertical direction).

[0039] Below this flexible display element 3 (on the opposite side from the display screen 3P), an electromagnetic induction coupling type position detection sensor 4 is positioned in a manner that overlaps with the flexible display element 3.

[0040] The position detection sensor 4 consists of a digitizer section 41 and an electromagnetic sheet section 42. The digitizer section 41 is constructed by arranging a plurality of loop coils 41X in the X-axis direction and a plurality of loop coils 41Y in the Y-axis direction on a flexible substrate 41F. In the example shown in Figure 2, a plurality of loop coils 41Y are arranged on the front side of the flexible substrate 41F, and a plurality of loop coils 41X are arranged on the back side. This digitizer section 41 is then attached, for example, to the side of the flexible display element 3 opposite to the display screen 3P.

[0041] As mentioned above, in this example, the display area of ​​the display screen 3P of the flexible display element 3 and the position detection area of ​​the digitizer unit 41 of the position detection sensor 4 are approximately the same size. The digitizer unit 41 uses the display screen 3P of the flexible display element 3 as an input surface for position indication by the electronic pen 10, and detects the indicated position on the input surface for the electronic pen 10.

[0042] Then, the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 is attached, for example, to the side of the digitizer portion 41 opposite to the side (input side) that is attached to the flexible display element 3.

[0043] In this embodiment, the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 is constructed by laminating a magnetic path material layer portion 421 and an electromagnetic shielding layer portion 422. The magnetic path material layer portion 421 forms a magnetic path for the alternating magnetic field generated by the loop coils 41X and 41Y of the digitizer portion 41 with respect to the electromagnetic waves transmitted and received between the electronic pen 10, thereby preventing the emission of the generated magnetic flux and improving the detection sensitivity of the electromagnetic inductive coupling type position detection sensor 4 to the electronic pen 10. The electromagnetic shielding layer portion 422 serves to prevent the alternating magnetic field from being radiated to the lower electronic circuit portion of the electromagnetic inductive coupling type position detection sensor 4, and also prevents electromagnetic waves from the lower electronic circuit portion from being mixed as noise into the electromagnetic waves transmitted and received between the electronic pen 10.

[0044] The magnetic path material layer 421 is composed of a magnetic material having high magnetic permeability. In this example, it is composed of a mixture of powder of a magnetic material with high magnetic permeability, such as amorphous alloy powder, with a non-magnetic and non-conductive polymer material, in this example, a resin. The electromagnetic shield layer 422 is composed of a metal sheet made of a metal material that is non-magnetic and has high conductivity, in this example, aluminum.

[0045] In this embodiment, the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 is configured as described below in order to avoid problems arising from the fact that the flexible display element 3 and the digitizer portion 41 are foldable by being bent at the bending positions indicated by dotted lines 3F and 4F in Figure 2.

[0046] In other words, the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 is not formed to cover the entire surface of the digitizer portion 41, but is divided at the bending position into a first sheet portion 42A and a second sheet portion 42B which are attached to the digitizer portion 41 with a predetermined gap d between them, and is configured to include a third sheet portion 42C which is positioned to cover the predetermined gap d between the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B. In other words, in this embodiment, the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 is divided into a first sheet portion 42A, a second sheet portion 42B and a third sheet portion 42C.

[0047] The first sheet portion 42A is composed of a first portion 4211 of the magnetic path material layer 421 located to the left of the bending point in Figure 2, and a first portion 4221 of the electromagnetic shielding layer 422 also located to the left of the bending point. The second sheet portion 42B is composed of a second portion 4212 of the magnetic path material layer 421 located to the right of the bending point in Figure 2, and a second portion 4222 of the electromagnetic shielding layer 422 also located to the right of the bending point.

[0048] The third sheet portion 42C is composed of a magnetic path material layer portion 4213 and an electromagnetic shield layer portion 4223, which have a width greater than a predetermined interval d at the bending positions, and a spacer member 423 made of resin is attached to the magnetic path material layer portion 4213.

[0049] In this embodiment, the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B are attached to the digitizer portion 41 with a predetermined distance d between them. In this case, for example, the first portion 4211 and the second portion 4212 of the magnetic path material layer portion 421 are attached to the side of the digitizer portion 41 opposite to the input side with a predetermined distance d between them. Subsequently, the first portion 4221 and the second portion 4222 of the electromagnetic shielding layer portion 422 are attached to the first portion 4211 and the second portion 4212 of the magnetic path material layer portion 421, respectively, with a predetermined distance d between them.

[0050] In this case, the predetermined interval d is preferably a length corresponding to the portion of the digitizer section 41 that is bent into a curved surface due to the folding of the outer casing, and in this example, it is approximately 3 to 5 mm. Here, the predetermined interval d does not need to be a length such that no curved surface is created at all in the first sheet section 42A and the second sheet section 42B due to bending. It is sufficient if the presence of the predetermined interval d reduces the bending stress in the first sheet section 42A and the second sheet section 42B due to bending, and a curved surface may be created in the vicinity of the predetermined interval d in the first sheet section 42A and the second sheet section 42B due to bending.

[0051] In this embodiment, the third sheet portion 42C is arranged so as to be separated from the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B of the digitizer portion 41 and electromagnetic sheet portion 42 without contact. In this embodiment, the third sheet portion 42C is attached to a protective plate 25 (on the surface facing the electromagnetic sheet portion 42) provided between the hinge portion 23 and the hinge portion 24 (see Figure 1(C)).

[0052] Next, the configuration of the portable device 1 of this embodiment, which includes the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 with the above configuration, near the bending position will be further described with reference to the cross-sectional views in Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view BB of the portable device 1 in the folded state shown in Figure 1(B), and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view AA of the portable device 1 in the fully open state shown in Figure 1(A).

[0053] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in the portable device 1 of this embodiment, the bottom portion 21a of the first frame member 21, the edge between the hinge portions 23 and 24, and the bottom portion 22a of the second frame member 22, the edge between the hinge portions 23 and 24, are provided with coupling and holding portions 21d and 22d, respectively, to connect and hold the protective plate 25, which is provided between the hinge portion 23 and the hinge portion 24, in a state in which the first frame member 21 and the second frame member 22 can rotate when folded.

[0054] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the protective plate 25 is provided with claw portions 25a and 25b for rotatably connecting with the coupling and holding portions 21d and 22d. Although not shown in the figures, the claw portions 25a and 25b are provided at two or more locations between the hinge portion 23 and the hinge portion 24.

[0055] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, a third sheet portion 42C of the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 is provided on the upper surface of the protective plate 25 on the side facing the flexible display element 3 and the position detection sensor 4. In this case, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the third sheet portion 42C is provided on the upper surface of the protective plate 25 in such a manner that it covers the gap 42g of a predetermined distance d between the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B, which are separated by a predetermined distance d at the bending position.

[0056] Furthermore, in this case, the third sheet portion 42C may be in contact with the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B, but in this example, in both the folded state in Figure 3 and the fully open state in Figure 4, they are spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the input surface of the digitizer unit 41 without contact, so as to prevent electrical and physical contact. In this case, the separation distance between the third sheet portion 42C and the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B in a direction perpendicular to the input surface of the digitizer unit 41 (referred to as the sheet thickness direction separation distance) can be small, for example, in the fully open state in Figure 4, this sheet thickness direction separation distance may be about 0.1 mm.

[0057] In this embodiment, the width of the third sheet portion 42C (length in the direction perpendicular to the direction connecting the hinge portion 23 and the hinge portion 24) is made larger than the predetermined distance d between the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B. As a result, as shown in Figure 4, when the portable device 1 is in the open state, which is the state in which the digitizer portion 41 is in use, an overlap of a predetermined length Ov is created between the third sheet portion 42C and the first sheet portion 42A, and between the third sheet portion 42C and the first sheet portion 42A, in the direction perpendicular to the input surface of the digitizer portion 41. The predetermined length Ov of the overlap in this case is selected according to the distance between the third sheet portion 42C and the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B. For example, if the aforementioned distance between the sheets in the thickness direction is about 0.1 mm, the predetermined length Ov of the overlap can be, for example, 2 to 3 mm or more. As the separation distance in the thickness direction of the sheets increases, the predetermined overlap length Ov is set to a larger value.

[0058] In this case, as is clear from Figures 3 and 4, when the first frame member 21 and the second frame member 22 are displaced from a folded state to a fully open state by rotating the hinge portion 23 and the hinge portion 24 around the pivot axis position, the protective plate 25 moves, but the third sheet portion 42C disposed on the upper surface of the protective plate 25 does not come into contact with the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B formed on the back surface of the digitizer portion 41. However, slight contact is acceptable.

[0059] In this embodiment, as described above, the third sheet portion 42C remains flat on the upper surface of the protective plate 25, regardless of the folding operation of the outer casing 2, and is not bent at all times. Therefore, this third sheet portion 42C does not deteriorate due to the folding operation of the outer casing 2.

[0060] As described above, in the position detection sensor 4 of the portable device 1 of this embodiment, the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 provided on one side of the digitizer portion 41 is separated into a first sheet portion 42A and a second sheet portion 42B, and a predetermined gap d is formed where the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 is not formed at the position where it bends due to the folding of the outer casing 2, and the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 is not present at the bending position where it bends significantly when folded, thereby reducing deterioration of the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 due to the folding of the outer casing 2.

[0061] In this embodiment, the predetermined interval d where the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 is not formed is covered by the third sheet portion 42C, so that the strength of the electromagnetic coupling between the loop coil of the digitizer portion 41 and the electronic pen 10 does not change locally even in the predetermined interval d.

[0062] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the third sheet portion 42C is spaced apart from the digitizer portion 41, the first sheet portion 42A, and the second sheet portion 42B, and is configured not to bend during the folding operation of the outer casing 2. Therefore, no deterioration occurs in the third sheet portion 42C due to the folding operation.

[0063] [Modified versions of the above embodiments] In the above embodiment, the third sheet portion 42C is configured so that no bending occurs regardless of the folding of the outer casing 2. However, if the third sheet portion 42C is configured to avoid significant bending, its narrow width contributes to minimal deterioration even if displacement from a flat surface to a curved surface occurs, so a slight displacement to a curved surface is permissible. Therefore, the third sheet portion 42C may also be configured to bend slightly when the outer casing 2 is folded from an open state.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 is divided into a first sheet portion 42A and a second sheet portion 42B, including both the magnetic path material layer portion 421 and the electromagnetic shielding layer portion 422. However, since the magnetic path material layer portion 421 deteriorates less due to bending than the electromagnetic shielding layer portion 422, the electromagnetic shielding layer portion 422 in the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B of the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 may be divided into a first portion 4221 and a second portion 4222. In that case, the third sheet portion 42C may be configured to have only an electromagnetic shielding layer portion 4223, omitting the magnetic path material layer portion.

[0065] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the third sheet portion 42C of the position detection sensor 4 is configured as a separate unit that is not connected to the digitizer portion 41 and the first sheet portion 42A and second sheet portion 42B of the electromagnetic sheet portion 42.

[0066] However, by configuring it as shown in Figure 5, for example, the third sheet portion 42C can be connected to the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B of the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 to constitute the position detection sensor 4.

[0067] Figure 5 shows an example of a position detection sensor configured in this way. Although the flexible display element 3 is omitted in Figure 5, similar to the example of the embodiment described above, the flexible display element 3 is provided on the side of the digitizer section 41 opposite to the side where the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B of the electromagnetic sheet section 42 are formed.

[0068] Figure 5(A) is a cross-sectional view of the position detection sensor 4' in this example in a folded state, and Figure 5(B) is a cross-sectional view of the sensor fully opened from the folded state to a flat state. In Figure 5, components similar to those in the embodiments described above are given the same reference numerals, and their detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0069] In the position detection sensor 4' of the example shown in Figure 5, as shown in Figures 5(A) and 5(B), in the digitizer section 41, instead of leaving a predetermined gap d between the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B as empty space, a joining member 43 made of, for example, an elastically deformable resin is provided. The thickness of this joining member 43 (height from the side of the digitizer section 41 opposite to the input surface) is greater than the thickness of the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B.

[0070] As shown in Figures 5(A) and 5(B), the third sheet portion 42C is attached to the end face of the joining member 43 on the side opposite to the input surface of the digitizer portion 41. In this case, since the width of the third sheet portion 42C is greater than the predetermined interval d, a portion protrudes from the joining member 43. However, as shown in Figures 5(A) and 5(B), this portion becomes a non-jointed portion separated from the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B. As shown in Figure 5(A), this non-jointed portion does not bend even if the digitizer portion 41 of the position detection sensor 4' and the first sheet portion 42A and the second sheet portion 42B of the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 are bent.

[0071] Therefore, the position detection sensor 4' in the example of Figure 5 also provides the same effects as the embodiment described above.

[0072] Next, Figure 6 shows an example of a position detection sensor 4M that does not have a separate, unconnected third sheet portion 42C. Figure 6(A) is a cross-sectional view of the position detection sensor 4M in this example in a folded state, and Figure 6(B) is a cross-sectional view of the sensor fully opened from the folded state to a flat state. In Figure 6, components similar to those in the embodiments described above are indicated by the same reference numeral with the suffix M, and their detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0073] In the position detection sensor 4M of the example in Figure 6, the electromagnetic sheet portion 42M, which is provided on the side opposite to the input surface side of the digitizer portion 41, is separated into a first sheet portion 42AM and a second sheet portion 42BM near the bending position, as shown in Figures 6(A) and 6(B), similar to the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 of the above-described embodiment. At the bending position, a portion is formed where the first sheet portion 42AM and the second sheet portion 42BM are not adhered to each other, with a predetermined interval d between them.

[0074] However, in the example shown in Figure 6, the extension end 42BMa is configured such that one of the first sheet portion 42AM and the second sheet portion 42BM, in this example the second sheet portion 42BM, can overlap with the other of the first sheet portion 42AM and the second sheet portion 42BM, in this example the first sheet portion 42AM, by covering a predetermined interval d, as shown in Figures 6(A) and 6(B).

[0075] Therefore, in the position detection sensor 4M of the example in Figure 6, as shown in Figure 6(B), when opened from a folded state to a flat state, a space 45 is formed at a predetermined distance d between the first sheet portion 42AM and the second sheet portion 42BM, while an overlap (overlap portion) Ov is created between the first sheet portion 42AM and the second sheet portion 42BM.

[0076] In the position detection sensor 4M of the example shown in Figure 6, which has the configuration described above, when the portable device is folded, the position detection sensor 4M is also folded. However, since the electronic sheet portion 42M is separated into a first sheet portion 42AM and a second sheet portion 42BM, deterioration is less likely to occur. Furthermore, when the portable device is fully opened, the separated first sheet portion 42AM and the second sheet portion 42BM overlap each other, so even in the separated position, local changes in the electromagnetic coupling level between the digitizer portion 41M and the electronic pen 10 are prevented.

[0077] [Other embodiments or variations] The above embodiments are examples of portable devices in which the outer casing is folded in a valley fold, but they are also applicable to portable devices in which the outer casing is folded in a mountain fold.

[0078] Furthermore, in the portable device of the above embodiment, the folding mechanism uses a two-point support hinge, but a one-point support or a multi-point support hinge with three or more points may also be used.

[0079] Figures 7 and 8 illustrate an example configuration of a portable device 1D equipped with a multi-point support hinge and capable of valley folding. Figure 7 shows an overview of the folding changes of the portable device 1D in this example. The portable device 1D in this example is configured to go from the folded state shown in Figure 7(A) through the intermediate opening / closing state shown in Figure 7(B) to the fully open state shown in Figure 7(C). Figure 8(A) is a schematic diagram of the CC cross-section in Figure 7(B), and Figure 8(B) is a schematic diagram of the DD cross-section in Figure 7(C).

[0080] In the portable device 1D of this example, as shown in Figures 7(A), (B), (C), and 8(A) and (B), the outer casing (housing) 2D has a structure in which a first frame member 21D and a second frame member 22D are connected in a valley-fold manner at multi-point supported hinge portions 23D and 24D (only hinge portion 23D is shown in Figure 8).

[0081] As shown in Figures 7(C) and 8(B), the outer casing 2D of the portable device 1D in this example becomes a thin, rectangular plate-like body when fully opened, and as shown in Figures 7(B) and 8(A), when folded, it becomes approximately half the size of the fully opened casing.

[0082] In this example, the portable device 1D has the same configuration as the portable device 1 of the above embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, except for the hinge portion 23D and hinge portion 24D. The same component numbers as those of portable device 1 are given the suffix D, and their detailed explanation is omitted.

[0083] As shown in Figure 7(C), the display screen 3DP of the flexible display element 3D is configured to appear on one side of the rectangular plate-like body when the outer casing 2D of the portable device 1D in this example is fully opened. Then, as shown in Figures 7(A), (C) and 8(A), (B), an electromagnetic induction coupling type position detection sensor 4D is provided superimposed on the flexible display element 3D on the opposite side of the display screen 3DP (the underside (back side) of the flexible display element 3D), such that the sensor detection area is the same area as the display screen 3DP.

[0084] As shown in Figure 7(C), the position detection sensor 4D in this example detects the position indicated by the electronic pen 10, which is an electromagnetically coupled position indicator, by performing signal interaction with the electronic pen 10 via electromagnetic induction coupling when the portable device 1D is open.

[0085] As shown in Figures 8(A) and (B), in this example of the portable device 1D, the position detection sensor 4D has an electromagnetic sheet portion 42D disposed on the side of the digitizer portion 41D that is opposite to the flexible display element 3D, and is positioned opposite the flexible display element 3D.

[0086] As shown in Figures 8(A) and (B), the electromagnetic sheet portion 42D is divided into a first sheet portion 42AD and a second sheet portion 42BD, which are separated by a predetermined distance d at the bending position of the digitizer portion 41D, similar to the electromagnetic sheet portion 42 of the portable device 1 described above, and a third sheet portion 42CD, which is configured to cover the predetermined distance d between the first sheet portion 42AD and the second sheet portion 42BD.

[0087] As shown in Figures 8(A) and (B), the third sheet portion 42CD is arranged in a manner that is separated from the first sheet portion 42AD and the second sheet portion 42BD, similar to the example of the portable device 1 described above. The third sheet portion 42CD is not shown in Figure 8, but is arranged on a plate-like body such as a protective plate provided in the space between the multi-point support position and the position detection sensor 4D, between the hinge portion 23D and the hinge portion 24D.

[0088] In this example of the portable device 1D, as shown in Figure 8(B), the third sheet portion 42CD covers a predetermined gap d between the first sheet portion 42AD and the second sheet portion 42BD, and is configured to have an overlapping portion Ov that overlaps with the first sheet portion 42AD and the second sheet portion 42BD in a direction perpendicular to the input surface of the digitizer portion 41D.

[0089] The position detection sensor 4D of the mobile device 1D, configured as described above, can achieve the same effects and benefits as the position detection sensor 4 of the mobile device 1 described above.

[0090] Next, a configuration example of a portable device 1E, which is similar to the portable device 1D described above in that it has a multi-point support hinge, but is capable of being folded in a mountain-fold manner, will be explained with reference to Figures 9 and 10.

[0091] Specifically, Figure 9 shows an overview of the folding changes of the portable device 1D in this example, and the portable device 1E in this example is configured to be able to go from the folded state shown in Figure 9(A) through the intermediate opening / closing state shown in Figure 9(B) to the fully open state shown in Figure 9(C). Furthermore, Figure 10(A) is a schematic diagram showing the EE cross-section in Figure 9(B), and Figure 10(B) is a schematic diagram showing the FF cross-section in Figure 9(C).

[0092] In this example of the portable device 1E, as shown in Figures 9(A), (B), (C), and 10(A) and (B), the outer casing (enclosure) 2E has a structure in which a first frame member 21E and a second frame member 22E are connected in a mountain-fold foldable manner at multi-point supported hinge portions 23E and 24E (only hinge portion 23E is shown in Figure 10).

[0093] As shown in Figures 9(C) and 10(B), the outer casing 2E of the portable device 1E in this example becomes a thin, rectangular plate-like body when fully opened, and when folded, as shown in Figures 9(B) and 10(A), it becomes approximately half the size of the fully opened casing.

[0094] In this example, the portable device 1E has the same configuration as portable device 1 and portable device 1D of the above-described embodiment, except for the difference between mountain folds and valley folds, with the exception of hinge parts 23E and 24E. For components that are the same as those in portable device 1, the suffix E is added to the same number, and a detailed explanation thereof is omitted.

[0095] In this example, the portable device 1E is configured so that the display screen 3EP of the flexible display element 3E is visible in the folded state shown in Figures 9(A) and 10(A), as well as in the partially folded state shown in Figure 9(B). In this example, the portable device 1E is provided on the opposite side of the display screen 3EP of the flexible display element 3E (the underside (backside) of the flexible display element 3E), superimposed so that the same area as the display screen 3EP becomes the sensor detection area, and is coupled to the electronic pen 10 by electromagnetic induction coupling.

[0096] As shown in Figures 9(A), (B), and (C), the position detection sensor 4E in this example can detect the position indicated by the electronic pen 10, which is an electromagnetically coupled position indicator, not only when fully open, but also when partially folded and when fully folded, by performing signal interaction with the electronic pen 10 via electromagnetic induction coupling.

[0097] As shown in Figures 10(A) and (B), in this example of the portable device 1E, the position detection sensor 4E has an electromagnetic sheet portion 42E disposed on the side of the digitizer portion 41E that is opposite to the side facing the flexible display element 3E, and is positioned opposite the flexible display element 3E.

[0098] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10(B), the electromagnetic sheet portion 42E of the portable device 1E in this example is divided into a first sheet portion 42AE and a second sheet portion 42BE, which are separated by a predetermined distance d at the bending position of the digitizer portion 41E, and a third sheet portion 42CE, which is configured to cover the predetermined distance d between the first sheet portion 42AE and the second sheet portion 42BE.

[0099] As shown in Figures 10(A) and (B), the third sheet portion 42CE is arranged in a manner that separates it from the first sheet portion 42AE and the second sheet portion 42BE, similar to the example of the portable device 1 described above. The third sheet portion 42CE is not shown in Figure 10, but it is arranged on a plate-like body such as a protective plate provided in the space between the multi-point support position and the position detection sensor 4E, between the hinge portion 23E and the hinge portion 24E.

[0100] In the example shown in Figure 10, as shown in Figure 10(B), the third sheet portion 42CE covers a predetermined gap d between the first sheet portion 42AE and the second sheet portion 42BE, and is configured to have an overlapping portion Ov that overlaps with the first sheet portion 42AE and the second sheet portion 42BE in a direction perpendicular to the input surface of the digitizer portion 41E.

[0101] The position detection sensor 4E of the mobile device 1E, configured as described above, can achieve the same effects and benefits as the position detection sensor 4 of the mobile device 1 and the position detection sensor 4D of the mobile device 1D.

[0102] In the above-described embodiment, the example is one in which the outer casing of a portable device is folded in half, but this invention can also be applied to cases where it is folded into three or more sections. In cases where it is folded into three or more sections, there may be valley folds and mountain folds, but as mentioned above, it goes without saying that this invention can also be applied in such cases. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0103] 1...Portable device, 2...Outer casing, 3...Flexible display element, 4...Position detection sensor, 21...First frame member, 22...Second frame member, 23,24...Hinge section, 41...Digitizer section, 42...Electromagnetic sheet section, 42A...First sheet section, 42B...Second sheet section, 42C...Third sheet section, 421...Magnetic path material layer section, 422...Electromagnetic shielding layer section

Claims

1. A digitizer having electrodes that are electromagnetically inductively coupled to a position indicator, and having an input surface that receives instruction input from the position indicator, An electromagnetic sheet including a first electromagnetic sheet and a second electromagnetic sheet, which are provided so as to cover the side of the digitizer opposite to the input side that receives instruction input from the position indicator, and which are separated from each other at the folding position of the digitizer, Equipped with, The first electromagnetic sheet and the second electromagnetic sheet are provided at a predetermined distance from each other in a direction along the surface of the digitizer when the digitizer is open. The aforementioned electromagnetic sheet is With the digitizer open, the third electromagnetic sheet is provided, which covers the predetermined gap between the first electromagnetic sheet and the second electromagnetic sheet, and is arranged so as to overlap with the first electromagnetic sheet and the second electromagnetic sheet in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the digitizer that receives the instruction input. A position detection sensor characterized by the following features.

2. When the digitizer is open, the third electromagnetic sheet is spaced apart from the surface of the digitizer opposite to the input surface, the first electromagnetic sheet, and the second electromagnetic sheet in a direction perpendicular to the input surface of the digitizer. The position detection sensor according to claim 1.

3. The system further comprises an elastically deformable member provided at a predetermined distance between the first electromagnetic sheet and the second electromagnetic sheet, The third electromagnetic sheet is fixed to the elastically deformable member. The position detection sensor according to claim 1.

4. The third electromagnetic sheet remains unbent even when the digitizer is bent. The position detection sensor according to claim 2.

5. A digitizer having electrodes that are electromagnetically inductively coupled to a position indicator, and having an input surface that receives instruction input from the position indicator, An electromagnetic sheet including a first electromagnetic sheet and a second electromagnetic sheet, which are provided so as to cover the side of the digitizer opposite to the input side that receives instruction input from the position indicator, and which are separated from each other at the folding position of the digitizer, Equipped with, The first electromagnetic sheet and the second electromagnetic sheet are provided at a predetermined distance from each other in a direction along the surface of the digitizer when the digitizer is open. With the digitizer open, one of the first electromagnetic sheet and the second electromagnetic sheet overlaps the other electromagnetic sheet in a non-contact manner, straddling the folded portion. A position detection sensor characterized by the following features.

6. The electromagnetic sheet comprises an electromagnetic shielding layer. A position detection sensor according to claim 1 or 5, characterized by the above.

7. The electromagnetic sheet comprises an electromagnetic shielding layer and a magnetic path material layer provided on the side of the electromagnetic shielding layer opposite to the digitizer side. A position detection sensor according to claim 1 or 5, characterized by the above.

8. The digitizer is bent toward the input surface side. A position detection sensor according to claim 1 or 5, characterized by the above.

9. The digitizer is bent to the side opposite to the input side. A position detection sensor according to claim 1 or 5, characterized by the above.

10. The digitizer can be bent multiple times. A position detection sensor according to claim 1 or 5, characterized by the above.

11. An electromagnetic induction coupling type position detection sensor, An outer casing member having a hinge portion that allows the position detection sensor to change between a folded state and an unfolded state, An input device comprising, The position detection sensor is A digitizer having electrodes that are electromagnetically inductively coupled to a position indicator, and having an input surface that receives instruction input from the position indicator, An electromagnetic sheet including a first electromagnetic sheet and a second electromagnetic sheet, which are provided so as to cover the side of the digitizer opposite to the input side that receives instruction input from the position indicator, and which are separated from each other at the folding position of the digitizer, Equipped with, The first electromagnetic sheet and the second electromagnetic sheet are provided at a predetermined distance from each other in a direction along the surface of the digitizer when the digitizer is open. The electromagnetic sheet of the position detection sensor is With the digitizer open, the digitizer includes a third electromagnetic sheet that covers the predetermined gap between the first electromagnetic sheet and the second electromagnetic sheet and overlaps with the first and second electromagnetic sheets. An input device characterized by the following features.

12. Equipped with a foldable sheet-like display element, The position detection sensor is provided on the side of the display element opposite to the display screen side, superimposed on the display screen. The hinge portion of the outer casing member allows the display element and the position detection sensor to be changed between a folded state and an open state from the folded state. The input device according to feature 11.

13. When the digitizer is open, the third electromagnetic sheet is spaced apart from the surface of the digitizer opposite to the input surface, the first electromagnetic sheet, and the second electromagnetic sheet in a direction perpendicular to the input surface of the digitizer. The input device according to feature 11.

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