Input device

Abstract

Provided is an input device capable of detecting operation of an operating body, by means of a simple configuration.　An input device (100) comprises: a detection electrode (110); a drive electrode (120) disposed opposite the detection electrode (110); a power supply (130) that applies an alternating-current drive voltage to the drive electrode (120); a detection unit (150) that detects an output from the detection electrode (110); and a capacitor (140) provided in series between the drive electrode (120) and the power supply (130).

Description

Input Devices

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an input device.

[0002] A conventional capacitive input device includes a plate-shaped substrate, a conductive and flexible surface plate disposed opposite the substrate, a non-conductive spacer disposed between the substrate and the surface plate, and one or more detection electrodes provided on the substrate. The input device has a first detection state in which the surface plate is not grounded and a second detection state in which the surface plate is grounded. In the first detection state, the input device detects the proximity of an operating object to the surface plate, and in the second detection state, the input device detects whether the operating object has pressed the surface plate. The input device also includes a control unit that alternates between the first detection state and the second detection state, and the control unit switches to the second detection state when the proximity between the operating object and the surface plate in the first detection state becomes equal to or less than a first threshold (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] JP 2017-049094 A

[0004] Conventional capacitive input devices require the surface plate to be switched between a first detection state and a second detection state.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an input device that can detect the operation of an operating object with a simple configuration.

[0006] An input device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a detection electrode, a drive electrode arranged opposite the detection electrode, a power source that applies an AC drive voltage to the drive electrode, a detection unit that detects the output of the detection electrode, and a capacitor arranged in series between the drive electrode and the power source.

[0007] It is possible to provide an input device that can detect the operation of an operating object with a simple configuration.

[0008] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of an input device 100 according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit of the input device 100; FIG. 3 is a development view showing a state in which a skin 104 of the input device 100 is unfolded; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a pressing operation is being performed on the input device 100; FIG. 5 is a diagram explaining an example of determining a proximity operation, a touch operation, or a pressing operation; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the cross-sectional configuration of an input device 100M1 according to a first modified example of an embodiment; and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the cross-sectional configuration of an input device 100M2 according to a second modified example of an embodiment.

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment to which the input device of the present disclosure is applied will be described.

[0010] In the following description, the XYZ coordinate system is defined. The direction parallel to the X axis (X direction), the direction parallel to the Y axis (Y direction), and the direction parallel to the Z axis (Z direction) are perpendicular to each other. For ease of explanation, the -Z direction side may be referred to as the lower side or bottom, and the +Z direction side as the upper side or top, but this does not represent a universal vertical relationship. Furthermore, a planar view refers to a view from an XY plane.

[0011] In the following description, the length, width, thickness, etc. of each part may be exaggerated to make the configuration easier to understand. Furthermore, terms such as parallel, up and down, etc. may be misaligned to the extent that the effect of the embodiment is not impaired.

[0012] 1A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of an input device 100 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a development view showing a state in which a cover 104 of the input device 100 is unfolded.

[0013] <Configuration of Input Device 100> The input device 100 includes a substrate 101, a foam layer 102, a support plate 103, a skin 104, a detection electrode 110, a drive electrode 120, a power supply 130, a capacitor 140, a detection unit 150, and an MCU (Micro Controller Unit) 160. The foam layer 102 is an example of an elastic member that can be deformed by a pressing operation by an operator. The capacitor 140 has a first electrode 141 and a second electrode 142. The upper surface of the skin 104 is an operation surface 104A of the input device 100.

[0014] The input device 100 is a device that determines whether a fingertip FT, which is an example of an operating object, has performed an operation of proximity, touch, or pressure on the operating surface 104A of the input device 100. The input device 100 determines the presence or absence of an operation using a mutual capacitance method based on the electrostatic capacitance between the detection electrodes 110 and the drive electrodes 120. Hereinafter, operations by proximity, touch, or pressure may be referred to as proximity operations, touch operations, and pressure operations, respectively. Furthermore, the operating object is not limited to the fingertip FT.

[0015] The pressing operation is an operation of pressing the operation surface 104A downward with the fingertip FT. The touch operation is an operation of touching the operation surface 104A with the fingertip FT but not pressing downward. The proximity operation is an operation of not touching the operation surface 104A with the fingertip FT but bringing the fingertip FT close to the operation surface 104A to the extent that the capacitance between the detection electrode 110 and the drive electrode 120 becomes small to a certain extent.

[0016] Hereinafter, the capacitance of the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 of the capacitor 140 will be referred to as C1, the capacitance between the fingertip FT and the driving electrode 120 as C2, and the capacitance between the detection electrode 110 and the driving electrode 120 as C3. For ease of explanation, the capacitor with capacitance C2 will be referred to as the capacitor formed by the fingertip FT and the driving electrode 120, and the capacitor with capacitance C3 will be referred to as the capacitor formed by the detection electrode 110 and the driving electrode 120. The capacitor formed by the fingertip FT and the driving electrode 120 is a capacitor with the fingertip FT and the driving electrode 120 as its two electrodes. The capacitor formed by the detection electrode 110 and the driving electrode 120 is a capacitor with the detection electrode 110 and the driving electrode 120 as its two electrodes.

[0017] <Substrate 101> The substrate 101 is provided at the bottom of the input device 100. The substrate 101 is, for example, a wiring substrate. The detection electrode 110 and the first electrode 141 are provided on the upper surface of the substrate 101.

[0018] <Foam layer 102> The foam layer 102 has a depth (width) in the Y direction and, for example, is rectangular in plan view. The foam layer 102 is fixed to the upper surface of the support plate 103. For example, the foam layer 102 has a shape in which the upper surface and four side surfaces are continuously curved. The foam layer 102 can be made of a foam material such as foamed urethane, foam sponge, or foamed rubber, and has cushioning properties. The foam layer 102 is provided on the support plate 103, and the upper surface and four side surfaces are entirely covered with a skin 104.

[0019] <Support Plate 103> The support plate 103 is a plate-like member that is rectangular in plan view and supports the foam layer 102. The support plate 103 is made of synthetic resin, for example. The support plate 103 is fixed to the upper surface of the substrate 101 with the foam layer 102 provided on the upper surface and portions along the four sides of the lower surface covered with a skin 104. The support plate 103 may also be fixed to a member (not shown) with a gap provided between it and the substrate 101. Furthermore, the support plate 103 may be omitted.

[0020] <Surface 104> The surface 104 is a cloth-like cover made of synthetic fiber, cotton, or the like, synthetic leather, leather, or the like, and covers the entire outer surface of the foam layer 102, easily changing its shape to fit the shape of the outer surface of the foam layer 102. The surface 104 has an operation surface 104A. The operation surface 104A is the upper surface of the surface 104 and is a decorative layer that is exposed to the interior of the vehicle. The operation surface 104A is at least a portion of the outer surface of the surface 104 that overlaps with the drive electrode 120.

[0021] Furthermore, the driving electrode 120, the extension 120A, and the second electrode 142 are formed on the back surface of the skin 104 opposite the operation surface 104A (the undersurface when the operation surface 104A is the upper surface in the unfolded state as shown in FIG. 2 ). As an example, the skin 104 is folded back along mountain fold lines 104X and 104Y shown in FIG. 2 toward the undersurface of the support plate 103 that supports the foam layer 102 while covering the upper and side surfaces of the foam layer 102, and is adhered to the undersurface of the support plate 103. In this state, the driving electrode 120, the extension 120A, and the second electrode 142 abut against the outer surface of the foam layer 102.

[0022] Although the skin 104 is described here as a cloth-like cover that covers the entire outer surface of the foam layer 102, the skin 104 may be a bag-like cover that fits the entire foam layer 102. The skin 104 may be configured to cover at least the top surface of the foam layer 102, and may be configured to cover only the top surface of the foam layer 102, or to cover the top surface and side surfaces of the foam layer 102, for example.

[0023] <Detection electrode 110> The detection electrode 110 is provided in the center of the upper surface of the substrate 101. The detection electrode 110 is made of copper foil, for example. The detection electrode 110 is, for example, circular in plan view, and is provided opposite the drive electrode 120. The detection electrode 110 is connected to the detection unit 150 via wiring on the substrate 101, wiring provided outside the substrate 101, or the like.

[0024] <Drive electrode 120> The drive electrode 120 is provided in the center of the back surface of the skin 104 opposite the operation surface 104A (the underside when the skin is unfolded as shown in FIG. 2 with the operation surface 104A as the upper surface). The drive electrode 120 has an extension 120A that extends in the −X direction. The extension 120A connects the drive electrode 120 and the second electrode 142, and straddles the mountain fold line 104X on the −X direction side. The drive electrode 120 and extension 120A are formed, for example, by printing silver paste or the like on the underside of the skin 104.

[0025] <Power supply 130> The power supply 130 is connected to the first electrode 141 of the capacitor 140, and when driven by the control unit 161 of the MCU 160, outputs an AC drive voltage to the first electrode 141. The power supply 130 may be any AC power supply that is capable of outputting an AC drive voltage.

[0026] <Capacitor 140 > The capacitor 140 has a first electrode 141 and a second electrode 142 .

[0027] The first electrode 141 is provided at an end of the upper surface of the substrate 101 on the −X direction side, and faces the second electrode 142. The first electrode 141 is made of copper foil, for example. The first electrode 141 is connected to the power supply 130. When the determination unit 162 of the MCU 160 determines whether or not the fingertip FT is being operated, an AC drive voltage is applied to the first electrode 141 from the power supply 130.

[0028] The second electrode 142 is provided at the end on the −X direction side of the back surface of the skin 104 opposite the operation surface 104A (the bottom surface when the skin 104 is unfolded as shown in FIG. 2 and the operation surface 104A is the top surface), and is located on the bottom surface of the foam layer 102 on the −X direction side as shown in FIG. 1A when the skin 104 is attached to the support plate 103. The second electrode 142 is connected to the driving electrode 120 by an extension 120A. The second electrode 142 is formed, for example, by printing silver paste or the like on the bottom surface of the skin 104. The second electrode 142, the driving electrode 120, and the extension 120A may be formed on the outer surface of the foam layer 102. Furthermore, the second electrode 142, the driving electrode 120, and the extension portion 120A are formed on the surface 104, but they may also be formed from a thin metal plate, or formed on a film substrate separate from the foam layer 102 and the surface 104, and sandwiched between the foam layer 102 and the surface 104.

[0029] FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit of the input device 100. The capacitor 140 is connected in series between the drive electrode 120 and the power supply 130. The drive electrode 120 is also connected to ground via the fingertip FT (human body). The power supply 130 is a nearly ideal AC power supply with an output impedance of approximately zero, and can output a substantially constant voltage regardless of the load. Therefore, if the drive electrode 120 were directly connected to the power supply 130 without the capacitor 140, even if the fingertip FT approached the drive electrode 120 and the capacitance C2 changed, the current value (charge) supplied from the power supply 130 and detected by the detection unit 150 would not change, and a proximity operation or a touch operation would not be detected.

[0030] However, the input device 100 of the embodiment includes a capacitor 140 connected in series between the drive electrode 120 and the power supply 130. Therefore, the capacitor 140 behaves in the same manner as a power supply having a predetermined output impedance, and a predetermined current flows through the capacitor 140. When the fingertip FT approaches the drive electrode 120, the current supplied from the power supply 130 and flowing from the capacitor 140 is diverted to the capacitor formed by the fingertip FT and the drive electrode 120. Therefore, the current value (charge) detected by the detection unit 150 decreases as the capacitance C2 of the capacitor formed by the fingertip FT and the drive electrode 120 increases, and therefore a proximity operation, a touch operation, or a pressing operation can be detected.

[0031] <Detection Unit 150> The detection unit 150 is connected to the detection electrode 110 and detects the value of the current (charge) flowing through the detection electrode 110. The detection unit 150 converts the detected current (charge) into a digital value and outputs it. The detection unit 150 functions as an AD (Analog to Digital) converter. The detection unit 150 outputs the digitally converted current value (charge) to the MCU 160.

[0032] <MCU 160> The MCU 160 includes a control unit 161, a determination unit 162, and a memory 163. The MCU 160 is realized by a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), an input / output interface, an internal bus, and the like.

[0033] The control unit 161 and the determination unit 162 are functional blocks showing the functions of the programs executed by the MCU 160. The memory 163 is a functional representation of the memory of the MCU 160.

[0034] The control unit 161 is a processing unit that controls the operation of the MCU 160, and performs, for example, driving the power supply 130 and other processes.

[0035] The determination unit 162 determines whether or not an operation has been performed based on the output (current value) of the detection unit 150. The determination unit 162 can determine, for example, which of the operations performed is proximity, touch, or pressure.

[0036] The memory 163 stores programs, data, etc. required for the control unit 161 and the determination unit 162 to execute processing.

[0037] <Operation of Input Device 100> Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a pressing operation is being performed on the input device 100. When the fingertip FT presses downward on the center of the surface 104, the surface 104, the driving electrode 120, and the foam layer 102 bend as shown in Figure 3, shortening the distance between the detection electrode 110 and the driving electrode 120. In this state, the determination unit 162 determines that a pressing operation is being performed. Furthermore, when the fingertip FT is in contact with the operation surface 104A but is not pressing downward, the determination unit 162 determines that a touch operation is being performed. Furthermore, when the fingertip FT is not in contact with the operation surface 104A but is in proximity thereto, the current value of the detection electrode decreases to a certain extent, and the determination unit 162 determines that a proximity operation that satisfies a predetermined condition is being performed.

[0038] <Determination of proximity operation, touch operation, or pressing operation> Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of determination of proximity operation, touch operation, or pressing operation. In Fig. 4, the horizontal axis is the time axis. The upper half of Fig. 4 shows an example of how the positions of the fingertip FT and the operation surface 104A change over time in the height direction. The lower half of Fig. 4 shows an example of how the current detected by the detection unit 150 changes over time.

[0039] 1A is approximately zero when no operation is being performed on the input device 100, but when a voltage is applied from the power supply 130 to the first electrode 141, a certain amount of current flows to the detection unit 150 via the capacitor 140 (the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142), the extension 120A, and a capacitor formed by the detection electrode 110 and the drive electrode 120. The current flowing through the detection unit 150 in this state is called a baseline current.

[0040] 1A , when a fingertip FT approaches the input device 100 and a proximity operation is performed, a capacitance C2 is generated between the fingertip FT and the drive electrode 120. In this state, when a voltage is applied to the first electrode 141 from the power supply 130, current flows from the capacitor 140 (the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142) via the extension portion 120A to the capacitor formed by the fingertip FT and the drive electrode 120 and the capacitor formed by the detection electrode 110 and the drive electrode 120, and therefore the current flowing to the detection unit 150 decreases. This also applies to the case of a touch operation.

[0041] 3, when a pressing operation is performed, the distance between the detection electrode 110 and the drive electrode 120 becomes shorter. As a result, the capacitance C3 of the capacitor formed by the detection electrode 110 and the drive electrode 120 increases significantly. In this state, when a voltage is applied from the power supply 130 to the first electrode 141, current flows from the capacitor 140 via the extension 120A to the capacitor formed by the fingertip FT and the drive electrode 120 and to the capacitor formed by the detection electrode 110 and the drive electrode 120. However, since the current flowing through the capacitor formed by the detection electrode 110 and the drive electrode 120 increases significantly, the current detected by the detection unit 150 increases significantly and becomes larger than the baseline current.

[0042] The input device 100 operates in this manner, as shown in FIG. 4 . At time t0 in FIG. 4 , the fingertip FT is sufficiently separated from the operation surface 104A, and the current value is the value of the baseline BL. The baseline BL represents the current value of the baseline current. Furthermore, the first threshold TH1 is a threshold used to detect a touch operation, and the second threshold TH2 is a threshold used to detect a proximity operation. The second threshold TH2 is greater than the first threshold TH1.

[0043] As time passes, the fingertip FT approaches the operation surface 104A, and when the current value becomes equal to or less than the second threshold value TH2 at time t1, the determination unit 162 determines that a proximity operation has been performed. That is, the determination unit 162 determines that a proximity operation has been performed on the condition that the current value has become equal to or less than the second threshold value TH2 without changing for a predetermined time in the past. Furthermore, when the current value becomes equal to or less than the first threshold value TH1 at time t2, the determination unit 162 determines that a touch operation has been performed. That is, when the current value becomes equal to or less than the first threshold value TH1 within a predetermined time after determining that a proximity operation has been performed, the determination unit 162 determines that a touch operation has been performed.

[0044] Furthermore, after time t2, the fingertip FT starts a pressing operation. The current value increases after reaching a minimum value, and when it increases to a value equal to or greater than the third threshold value TH3, which is greater than the baseline BL, at time t3, the determination unit 162 determines that a pressing operation has been performed. In other words, if the current value increases to the third threshold value TH3 within a predetermined time after it is determined that a touch operation has been performed, the determination unit 162 determines that a pressing operation has been performed.

[0045] If the threshold value does not increase to the third threshold value TH3 but only increases to the baseline BL within the predetermined time, it is determined that a pressing operation has not been performed and that a proximity operation and a touch operation have also ceased to be performed.

[0046] Thereafter, as the fingertip FT further presses the operation surface 104A, the current increases until time t4. When the fingertip FT begins to return at time t4, the current decreases, reaches a minimum, and then increases until it exceeds the first threshold value TH1 at time t5. The determination unit 162 determines that the fingertip FT has been released from the operation surface 104A. That is, if the current value falls below the first threshold value TH1 within a predetermined time after determining that a finger pressure operation has been performed and then increases, the determination unit 162 determines that the fingertip FT has been released from the operation surface 104A. As the fingertip FT further moves away from the operation surface 104A, the current value increases and exceeds the second threshold value TH2 at time t6. The determination unit 162 determines that a proximity operation has ceased. That is, if the current value exceeds the second threshold value TH2 within a predetermined time after determining that the fingertip FT has been released from the operation surface 104A, the determination unit 162 determines that a proximity operation has ceased.

[0047] As described above, the input device 100 of the embodiment includes the capacitor 140 connected in series between the drive electrode 120 and the power source 130, and therefore can detect a proximity operation, a touch operation, or a pressing operation of the fingertip FT.

[0048] <Effects> The input device 100 includes a detection electrode 110, a drive electrode 120 arranged opposite the detection electrode 110, a power source 130 that applies an AC drive voltage to the drive electrode 120, a detection unit 150 that detects the output of the detection electrode 110, and a capacitor 140 that is provided in series between the drive electrode 120 and the power source 130. Therefore, when the fingertip FT approaches the drive electrode 120, the capacitance C1 of the capacitor 140 between the drive electrode 120 and the power source 130 changes the current value detected by the detection unit 150, making it possible to detect a proximity operation, a touch operation, or a pressing operation.

[0049] Therefore, it is possible to provide an input device 100 that can detect the operation of an operating object with a simple configuration.

[0050] The input device 100 further includes a foam layer 102 that is deformable when an operator presses the operation surface 104A, the drive electrode 120 being provided on the operation surface 104A side of the foam layer 102, and the detection electrode 110 being provided on the opposite side of the foam layer 102 from the operation surface 104A. As a result, the foam layer 102 deforms in response to a pressing operation, changing the capacitance C3 between the drive electrode 120 and the detection electrode 110, thereby providing an input device 100 that can detect the operation of an operating object.

[0051] The touch panel further includes a substrate 101 provided on the opposite side of the operation surface 104A with respect to the foam layer 102, the detection electrode 110 being provided on the substrate 101, the capacitor 140 having a first electrode 141 provided on the substrate 101 and a second electrode 142 facing the first electrode 141, and the drive electrode 120 having an extension portion 120A extending toward the second electrode 142 and connected to the second electrode 142. Therefore, the extension portion 120A can easily connect the second electrode 142 of the capacitor 140 to the drive electrode 120, and by applying an AC voltage from a power source 130 to the first electrode 141 provided on the substrate 101, a drive voltage can be applied to the drive electrode 120 via the capacitor 140 and the extension portion 120A. Furthermore, by providing the foam layer 102 on the substrate 101 on which the detection electrode 110 is provided, the drive electrode 120 can be easily positioned relative to the detection electrode 110. Furthermore, since the lower surface of the foam layer 102 does not displace, the capacitance C1 of the capacitor 140 can be kept constant, thereby achieving good detection accuracy. By including such a substrate 101, the entire input device 100 can be easily assembled.

[0052] It further includes a skin 104 that covers the foam layer 102, and the driving electrode 120 and the extension portion 120A are provided on the skin 104. Covering the outer surface of the foam layer 102 with the skin 104 as a decorative layer improves the design, and providing the driving electrode 120 and the extension portion 120A on the skin 104 makes it easier to attach and position the driving electrode 120 and the extension portion 120A.

[0053] Furthermore, the operation surface 104A is a portion of the outer surface of the skin 104 that overlaps with the drive electrode 120, and therefore, it is possible to reliably detect proximity operations, touch operations, and pressing operations on the operation surface 104A.

[0054] In addition, the input device 100 further includes a determination unit 162 that determines that a touch operation has been performed by an operating object when the output of the detection unit 150 becomes equal to or less than the first threshold value TH1, thereby making it possible to provide an input device 100 that is capable of detecting touch operations by an operating object with a simple configuration.

[0055] The judgment unit 162 determines that a proximity operation has been performed by the operating body when the output of the detection unit 150 becomes equal to or less than a second threshold value TH2 that is greater than the first threshold value TH1, and therefore it is possible to provide an input device 100 that can detect a proximity operation of the operating body with a simple configuration.

[0056] Furthermore, after determining that a touch operation has been performed, determination unit 162 determines that a pressing operation has been performed by the operating object when the output of detection unit 150 changes from a value smaller than first threshold value TH1 to a value equal to or greater than a third threshold value that is larger than the baseline value of the output of detection unit 150. This makes it possible to provide input device 100 that can detect pressing operations by the operating object with a simple configuration. When a pressing operation is performed, capacitance C3 of the capacitor formed by detection electrode 110 and drive electrode 120 increases significantly, and the current flowing through the capacitor formed by detection electrode 110 and drive electrode 120 increases significantly, so the current, which was decreasing when the touch operation was being detected, changes to an increasing current. By detecting this change, it is possible to reliably determine that a pressing operation has been performed.

[0057] <First Modification> Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a cross-sectional configuration of an input device 100M1 according to a first modification of the embodiment. The cross section shown in Fig. 5 corresponds to the cross section of the input device 100 shown in Fig. 1A. In the input device 100M1 according to the first modification, components similar to those of the input device 100 shown in Fig. 1A are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0058] The input device 100M1 includes a substrate 101, a foam layer 102, a skin 104, a detection electrode 110, a drive electrode 120, a power source 130, a capacitor 140, a detection unit 150, and an MCU 160. The input device 100M1 differs from the input device 100 shown in FIG. 1A in that it does not include the support plate 103 (see FIG. 1A), the substrate 101 is provided at the position of the support plate 103 in FIG. 1A, and the second electrode 142 is provided on the back surface of the substrate 101.

[0059] In this way, by providing the second electrode 142 on the rear surface of the substrate 101, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and provide an input device 100M1 that can detect the operation of an operating object with a simpler configuration.

[0060] <Second Modification> Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a cross-sectional configuration of an input device 100M2 according to a second modification of the embodiment. The cross section shown in Fig. 6 corresponds to the cross section of the input device 100 shown in Fig. 1A. In the input device 100M2 according to the second modification, components similar to those of the input device 100 shown in Fig. 1A are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0061] The input device 100M2 includes a substrate 101, a foam layer 102, a support plate 103, a skin 104, a detection electrode 110, a drive electrode 120, a power source 130, a capacitor 140M2, a detection unit 150, and an MCU 160. The input device 100M2 differs from the input device 100 shown in Fig. 1A in that the input device 100M2 includes a capacitor 140M2 instead of the capacitor 140 shown in Fig. 1A. In the input device 100M2, unlike the input device 100 shown in Fig. 1A, the first electrode 141 is not provided on the substrate 101, and the second electrode 142 is not provided on the skin 104.

[0062] Capacitor 140M2 has a first electrode 141 and a second electrode 142, and is provided at a position away from substrate 101, foam layer 102, support plate 103, and skin 104. First electrode 141 is connected to power source 130, and second electrode 142 is connected to extension portion 120A via connector 145. A chip capacitor or the like can be used as capacitor 140M2.

[0063] In this way, it is possible to provide an input device 100M2 that can detect the operation of an operating object with a simple configuration by providing the capacitor 140M2 at a position away from the substrate 101, the foam layer 102, the support plate 103, and the skin 104. Furthermore, since an external capacitor such as a chip capacitor can be used as the capacitor 140M2, the accuracy of the capacitance is high, and the determination accuracy can be improved.

[0064] In the second modified example, the capacitor 140M2 is disposed at a position away from the substrate 101, but the capacitor 140M2 may be formed as a chip capacitor and mounted on the substrate 101.

[0065] The above describes an input device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0066] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-180505, filed on November 10, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0067] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Input device 101 Substrate 102 Foam layer (an example of an elastic member) 103 Support plate 104 Cover 110 Detection electrode 120 Drive electrode 130 Power supply 140, 140M2 Capacitor 141 First electrode 142 Second electrode 150 Detection unit 160 MCU 161 Control unit 162 Determination unit 163 Memory

Claims

1. An input device comprising: a detection electrode; a drive electrode arranged opposite the detection electrode; a power source that applies an AC drive voltage to the drive electrode; a detection unit that detects an output of the detection electrode; and a capacitor that is provided in series between the drive electrode and the power source so that the drive voltage can be applied to the drive electrode.

2. The capacitor has a first electrode and a second electrode opposite the first electrode, The first electrode is connected to the power supply; The input device of claim 1 , wherein the second electrode is connected to the drive electrode.

3. 3. The input device according to claim 2, further comprising an elastic member deformable by a pressing operation of an operating body against an operating surface, the drive electrode being provided on a side of the elastic member facing the operating surface, and the detection electrode being provided on a side of the elastic member facing away from the operating surface.

4. 4. The input device according to claim 3, further comprising a substrate provided on an opposite side of the elastic member from the operation surface, the detection electrode and the first electrode being provided on the substrate, and the drive electrode having an extension portion extending toward the second electrode and connected to the second electrode.

5. The input device according to claim 4 , further comprising a skin covering the elastic member, the drive electrode and the extension being provided on the skin.

6. The input device according to claim 5 , wherein the operation surface is a portion of the outer surface of the skin that overlaps with the drive electrodes.

7. The input device according to claim 1 , further comprising a determination unit that determines that a touch operation has been performed with an operating object when an output of the detection unit becomes equal to or less than a first threshold value.

8. The input device according to claim 7 , wherein the determination unit determines that a proximity operation has been performed by the operating object when an output from the detection unit becomes equal to or less than a second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value.

9. The input device according to claim 7, wherein the determination unit determines that a pressing operation has been performed by the operating object when, after determining that the touch operation has been performed, the output of the detection unit changes from a value smaller than the first threshold value to a value equal to or greater than a third threshold value that is greater than a baseline value of the output of the detection unit.

10. An elastic member that is deformable by a pressing operation on an operating surface of an operating body; a substrate provided on the opposite side of the elastic member from the operation surface; Further comprising: The detection electrode is provided on the substrate, the capacitor has a first electrode provided on the substrate and a second electrode facing the first electrode; The input device according to claim 1 , wherein the drive electrode has an extension portion that extends toward the second electrode and is connected to the second electrode.