Sensor device and electronic equipment

Abstract

A sensor device according to one embodiment of the present technology comprises a support body and a sensor sheet. The support body has a cylindrical part. The sensor sheet covers the cylindrical part. The sensor sheet has an inner peripheral surface part that is joined to the cylindrical part, an outer peripheral surface part that is a pressure detection surface, and a detection part that electrostatically detects a pressure distribution acting on the outer peripheral surface part. A plurality of slits extending from one end to the other end in the axial direction of the cylindrical part are formed in the outer peripheral surface part.

Description

Sensor device and electronic device

[0001] The present technology relates to a sensor device provided in, for example, a cylindrical grip portion, and an electronic device including the same.

[0002] A known capacitance-type sensor device is an input device in which a sensor sheet is curved into a cylindrical shape and made up of a laminate of a sensor electrode layer in which multiple capacitance elements are arranged in a matrix, a reference electrode layer connected to a reference potential, and a deformation layer arranged between the sensor electrode layer and the reference electrode layer (see, for example, Figures 48A and 48B of Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-133714

[0004] However, when this type of sensor sheet is used in a cylindrically curved shape, tensile stress is generated on the outer peripheral surface of the sheet, which is the pressure detection surface, and residual strain on the outer peripheral surface of the sheet after unloading causes the signal level of the capacitive element to take time to return to the signal level when no stress is present, which can result in the problem of false detection of the operating position or gripping position.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present technology is to provide a sensor device and an electronic device equipped with the same that can suppress the occurrence of false detection even when the sensor sheet is used in a curved state.

[0006] A sensor device according to one aspect of the present technology includes a support and a sensor sheet. The support has a cylindrical portion. The sensor sheet covers the cylindrical portion. The sensor sheet has an inner circumferential surface portion joined to the cylindrical portion, an outer circumferential surface portion that is a pressure detection surface, and a detection portion that electrostatically detects a pressure distribution acting on the outer circumferential surface portion. A plurality of slits extending from one end to the other end in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion are formed in the outer circumferential surface portion.

[0007] In the sensor device described above, the outer peripheral surface of the sensor sheet is formed with multiple slits extending from one axial end of the cylindrical portion to the other, which reduces the tensile stress acting on the outer peripheral surface of the sensor sheet covering the cylindrical portion, thereby reducing the occurrence of false detection even when the sensor sheet is used in a curved position.

[0008] The plurality of slits may extend linearly from one end to the other end in the axial direction and may be arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion.

[0009] The tubular portion is typically cylindrical, but may be in other shapes such as a partial cylindrical shape or a rectangular cylindrical shape.

[0010] The sensor sheet may include a sensor electrode layer having a plurality of capacitance elements arranged in a matrix, a reference electrode layer forming the outer peripheral surface and connected to a reference potential, and a deformation layer disposed between the sensor electrode layer and the reference electrode layer. The plurality of slits may be formed in the reference electrode layer.

[0011] The plurality of slits may be formed from the reference electrode layer to the deformation layer.

[0012] The plurality of capacitive elements may be arranged at first intervals in a circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion, and the plurality of slits may be arranged at second intervals in the circumferential direction that are smaller than the first intervals.

[0013] The sensor electrode layer may have a sensing region in which the plurality of capacitive elements are formed and non-sensing regions located on both ends of the sensing region in the axial direction, and the plurality of slits may be formed in the sensing region.

[0014] The sensor sheet may further include a group of narrow slits partially provided on the outer peripheral surface and arranged in the circumferential direction at a pitch that is shorter and narrower than the plurality of slits.

[0015] The plurality of slits may include a group of slits formed at intervals in the axial direction and inclined with respect to the axial direction, and the group of slits may be arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion.

[0016] The plurality of slits may include groups of slits formed alternately along the axial direction at inclination angles symmetrical with respect to the axial direction, and the groups of slits may be arranged at intervals around the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion.

[0017] The sensor device may further include an exterior portion that covers the outer circumferential surface.

[0018] An electronic device according to one embodiment of the present technology includes a gripping unit, a sensor sheet, and a control unit. The gripping unit has a tubular portion. The sensor sheet covers the tubular portion. The sensor sheet has an inner circumferential surface portion joined to the tubular portion, an outer circumferential surface portion that is a pressure detection surface, and a detection unit that electrostatically detects the pressure distribution acting on the outer circumferential surface portion. The outer circumferential surface portion has a plurality of slits extending from one end to the other end in the axial direction of the tubular portion. The control unit determines the position of a user's fingers gripping the gripping unit based on the output of the sensor sheet.

[0019] FIG. 10 is an overall view showing a controller as an electronic device including a sensor device according to an embodiment of the present technology. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view perpendicular to an axial direction showing a structure of the controller. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a sensor sheet in the sensor device. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing a cross-sectional structure of the sensor sheet. FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view showing a sensor electrode layer in the sensor sheet. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of an electrode structure of a sensing unit in the sensor electrode layer. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the sensor sheet bonded to a support. FIG. 17 is a schematic view explaining a method of bonding the sensor sheet to a support. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of an evaluation method explaining the function of the sensor sheet. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a time change in output signal level of the sensor sheet obtained in the experiment shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a sensor device explaining the function of the sensor sheet. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the configuration of the sensor device. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another modified example of the configuration of the sensor device.

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present technology will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] [Overall Configuration] FIG. 1 is an overall view showing a controller 100 as an electronic device including a sensor device 10 according to an embodiment of the present technology, and shows a state in which the controller 100 is held by a user U.

[0022] As shown in the figure, the controller 100 is a cylindrical member of a predetermined length, and is used, for example, as an XR (Cross Reality / Extended Reality) controller for VR (Virtual Reality) sports or as a controller for games. For example, the movement of the controller 100 in space as operated by a user U is detected using a detection signal from a built-in inertial unit or a separately installed camera.

[0023] The controller 100 further includes a sensor device 10 as a pressure sensor that detects the gripping force and holding manner (grip posture) of the controller 100 by the user U. In addition to this, the controller 100 may also include a physical switch such as a push button, a battery as a power source, a vibration device that presents a vibrating tactile sensation to the user U, a movable weight that changes the center of gravity of the controller 100, and the like.

[0024] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view perpendicular to the axial direction showing the structure of controller 100. Sensor device 10 includes a sensor sheet attached to grip portion 111, which is the surface of housing 110 of controller 100. That is, sensor device 10 has support body 11, sensor sheet 12, and exterior portion 13.

[0025] (Support) The support 11 is a tubular portion that supports the sensor sheet 12. The tubular portion has a cylindrical shape and is made of a relatively rigid plastic material, metal material, ceramic material, or the like that can prevent deformation of the inner peripheral surface portion 12a of the sensor sheet 12. In this embodiment, the housing 110 of the controller 100 is used as the support. However, the support 11 is not limited to this, and a cylinder separate from the housing 110 may be used.

[0026] The thickness of the support 11 is not particularly limited as long as it can be held by the user U, and may be, for example, 50 mm or less in diameter. The cross-sectional shape of the support 11 is not limited to a circular shape, but may be an elliptical shape or an oval shape (a track shape), etc. Furthermore, the support is not limited to a cylindrical shape, but may be a polygonal tubular shape in cross section.

[0027] 3 is a perspective view of the sensor sheet 12. The sensor sheet 12 is attached to the surface of the housing 110, which is the support body 11, so as to cover a portion of the surface of the housing 110 over the entire periphery or almost the entire periphery. The sensor sheet 12 has an inner circumferential surface portion 12a joined to the surface of the housing 110, an outer circumferential surface portion 12b which is the pressure detection surface S, and a detection portion (a plurality of capacitance elements 128, described later) which electrostatically detects the pressure distribution acting on the outer circumferential surface portion 12b.

[0028] (Sensor Sheet) Fig. 4 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional structure of the sensor sheet 12, and Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view showing the sensor electrode layer 122 in the sensor sheet 12. Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the electrode structure of the sensing portion 128 in the sensor electrode layer 122.

[0029] 4 and 5, the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction are directions parallel to the pressure detection surface S of the sensor sheet 120 (hereinafter also referred to as in-plane directions), the x-axis direction corresponds to the axial direction of the support body 11, and the y-axis direction corresponds to the circumferential direction of the support body 11. The z-axis direction is a direction perpendicular to the pressure detection surface S (hereinafter also referred to as the vertical direction). In Fig. 4, the upper side corresponds to the outer peripheral surface portion 12b which is the pressure detection surface S, and the lower side corresponds to the inner peripheral surface portion 12a which is joined to the outer peripheral surface (surface) 11a of the support body 11 (housing 110) on the opposite side.

[0030] The sensor sheet 12 has a rectangular flat plate shape in a plan view when it is in a standalone state before being attached to the support body 11. As shown in Fig. 4, the sensor sheet 12 is composed of a laminate having pressure sensors 121 and a support layer (bonding layer) 124 disposed between the lower surface of the pressure sensors 121 and the outer peripheral surface 11a of the support body 11.

[0031] The pressure sensor 121 includes a sensor electrode layer 122 , a reference electrode layer 125 , and a deformation layer 127 disposed between the sensor electrode layer 122 and the reference electrode layer 125 .

[0032] The sensor electrode layer 122 is disposed between the outer peripheral surface 11a of the support 11 and the reference electrode layer 125. The sensor electrode layer 122 is configured using a flexible printed circuit board or the like. As shown in FIG. 5 , the sensor electrode layer 122 has a main body portion 122a that is rectangular in plan view and an extension portion 122b that extends outward from the main body portion 122a. The main body portion 122a has a sensing region 123a in which a sensing unit 128 (described later) is provided, and a non-sensing region 123b in which the sensing unit 128 is not provided. A connector part 70 that is connected to the control unit 21 (see FIG. 2) of the controller 100 via a wiring cable is mounted on the tip of the extension portion 122b.

[0033] The control unit 21 is disposed inside the housing 110 of the controller 100. The control unit 21 is realized by hardware elements used in a computer, including, for example, a processing element such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a storage unit such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory), as well as necessary software. The control unit 21 includes a drive circuit that drives the sensor electrode layer 122 and a signal processing unit that processes an output signal from the sensor electrode layer 122, and determines the position of the user's fingers gripping the grip unit 111 based on the detection signal from the sensor electrode layer 122.

[0034] The sensor electrode layer 122 has a flexible substrate 129 and a plurality of sensing units 128 provided on the surface of the substrate 129 or inside the substrate 129. Examples of materials that can be used for the substrate 129 include polymer resins such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyimide, polycarbonate, and acrylic resin. The sensing units 128 are regularly arranged in a matrix at predetermined intervals in both the vertical and horizontal directions (vertical: y-axis direction, horizontal: x-axis direction). The thickness of the sensor electrode layer 122 is, for example, 30 μm to 300 μm, and is 125 μm in this embodiment.

[0035] The sensing unit 128 is composed of a plurality of capacitance elements (detection units) that can detect a change in distance to the reference electrode layer 125 as a change in capacitance. The sensing units 128 are arranged in a matrix, making it possible to detect pressure distribution in the in-plane direction.

[0036] 6, the sensing unit 128 includes a comb-tooth-shaped pulse electrode 281 and a comb-tooth-shaped sense electrode 282. The comb-tooth-shaped pulse electrode 281 and the comb-tooth-shaped sense electrode 282 are arranged so that their teeth face each other, and each sensing unit 128 is made up of an area (node ​​area) where one comb tooth is positioned between the other comb tooth.

[0037] Each pulse electrode 281 is connected to a wiring portion 281a extending in the y-axis direction, and each sense electrode 282 is connected to a wiring portion 282a extending in the x-axis direction. The wiring portions 281a are arranged in the x-axis direction on the front surface of the substrate 129, and the wiring portions 282a are arranged in the y-axis direction on the back surface of the substrate 129. Each sense electrode 282 is electrically connected to the wiring portion 282a via a through-hole 283 provided in the substrate 29. The sensor electrode layer 122 may have a ground line. The ground line is provided, for example, on the outer periphery of the sensor electrode layer 122 or in a portion where the wiring portions 281a and 282a run parallel to each other.

[0038] The structure of the sensing unit 128 is not limited to the above example, and any structure may be used. For example, the sensor electrode layer 122 may be formed of a laminate of a first electrode sheet having a lattice-shaped first electrode pattern extending in the x-axis direction and a second electrode sheet having a lattice-shaped second electrode pattern extending in the y-axis direction. In this case, the sensing unit 128 is formed at the intersection of the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern.

[0039] The reference electrode layer 125 is connected to a reference potential. In this embodiment, the reference electrode layer 125 is a so-called ground electrode and is connected to the ground potential. The reference electrode layer 125 is flexible and has a thickness of, for example, about 0.02 mm to 0.2 mm. In this embodiment, a laminated film made of a 75 μm-thick PET film and a 10 μm-thick Al foil is used as the reference electrode layer 125. Examples of materials that can be used for the reference electrode layer 125 include inorganic conductive materials, organic conductive materials, and conductive materials containing both inorganic and organic conductive materials.

[0040] Examples of inorganic conductive materials include metals such as aluminum, copper, and silver, alloys such as stainless steel, and metal oxides such as zinc oxide and indium oxide. Examples of organic conductive materials include carbon materials such as carbon black and carbon fiber, and conductive polymers such as substituted or unsubstituted polyaniline and polypyrrole. The reference electrode layer 125 may be composed of a thin metal plate such as stainless steel or aluminum, conductive fiber, conductive nonwoven fabric, or conductive rubber. The reference electrode layer 125 may be formed on a plastic film by, for example, vapor deposition, sputtering, adhesion, or coating.

[0041] A plurality of slits 12s are formed in the reference electrode layer 125. The slits 12s are intended to relieve tensile stress that occurs in the reference electrode 125, which forms the outer peripheral surface 12b of the sensor sheet 12, when the sensor sheet 12 is bent. That is, the sensor sheet 12 bends when it is attached to the support 11. At this time, the slits 12s are formed so that the width of the slits 12s increases, thereby relieving the tensile stress acting on the outer peripheral surface 12b of the sensor sheet 12. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of the sensor sheet 12 attached to the support 11.

[0042] Each slit 12s is formed to extend from one end to the other end in the axial direction (x-axis direction) of the support body 11. More specifically, in this embodiment, the multiple slits 12s extend linearly from one end to the other end in the axial direction (x-axis direction) of the support body 11 and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction (y-axis direction) of the support body 11. This makes it possible to alleviate the tensile stress in the circumferential direction (y-axis direction) that occurs in the outer peripheral surface portion 12b of the sensor sheet 12 when the sensor sheet 12 is attached to the support body 11. This makes it possible to reduce the occurrence of false detection even when the sensor sheet 12 is used in a curved state.

[0043] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, slits 12s are formed from the reference electrode layer 125 to the deformation layer 127. The slits 12s are formed to a depth that allows them to divide the reference electrode layer 125. Because the outer peripheral surface portion 12b of the sensor sheet 12 is formed from the reference electrode layer 125, which has a relatively high rigidity, dividing it in the circumferential direction (y-axis direction) with slits S can effectively relieve the tensile stress of the outer peripheral surface portion 12b. Note that it is preferable that the depths of the slits 12s are the same, which allows the amount of expansion of each slit 12s to be uniform after the sensor sheet 12 is bonded to the support 11.

[0044] The arrangement intervals (second intervals) of the slits 12s in the circumferential direction (y-axis direction) are formed to be smaller than the arrangement intervals (first intervals) of the sensing portions 128 in the circumferential direction (y-axis direction). In this embodiment, the second intervals are set to about half of the first intervals. That is, as shown in FIG. 4 , the arrangement intervals of the slits 12s are set to about half of the formation intervals of the sensing portions 128. This makes it possible to suppress the effects of tensile stress on the outer peripheral surface portion 12b in the areas directly above and around each sensing portion 128, and therefore allows the signal level to quickly return to the level before stress detection after the stress is released.

[0045] The narrower the spacing between the slits 12s along the circumferential direction of the support 11, the greater the stress relaxation effect described above. On the other hand, if the spacing between the slits 12s is too narrow, the rigidity of the reference electrode layer 125 in that area decreases, which weakens the vertical repulsive force and tends to slow the response speed. For this reason, the slits 12s can be set arbitrarily depending on the desired detection sensitivity, the curvature of the outer peripheral surface portion 12b, etc. In this embodiment, the spacing between the slits 12s is set, for example, in the range of 20° to 60°. The spacing between the slits 12s is typically equal to, but is not limited to, an equal angular interval.

[0046] The width of the slit 12s (slit width) is not particularly limited as long as it is smaller than the formation interval of the sensing portion 128, but the larger the slit width, the lower the deformation resistance strength and therefore the greater the sensitivity tends to be. Therefore, a smaller slit width is preferable, but the sensitivity may be adjusted by the slit width.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slits 12s are formed in a region 125a (see FIG. 3) of the reference electrode layer 125 corresponding to the sensing region 123a of the sensor electrode layer 122. That is, when the sensor sheet 12 is curved into a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 3, the slits 12s are formed in a region excluding regions 125b located at both ends in the axial direction (x-axis direction) of the reference electrode layer 125 corresponding to the non-sensing region 123b. This ensures continuity between the regions of the reference electrode layer 125 separated by the slits 12s. Of course, as long as continuity can be ensured throughout the entire reference electrode layer 125, the slits 12s may also be formed in the region 125b corresponding to the non-sensing region.

[0048] The deformation layer 127 is disposed between the sensor electrode layer 122 and the reference electrode layer 125 via an adhesive layer (not shown). The deformation layer 127 is configured to be elastically deformable in response to an external force. When an external force is applied perpendicularly to the sensor sheet 12, the deformation layer 127 elastically deforms in response to the external force, and the reference electrode layer 125 approaches the sensor electrode layer 122. At this time, the capacitance between the pulse electrode 281 and the sense electrode 282 in the sensing unit 128 changes, and the sensing unit 128 can detect this change in capacitance as a pressure value.

[0049] The thickness of the deformation layer 127 is, for example, 150 μm or more and 2000 μm or less, and the weight per unit area of ​​the deformation layer 127 is, for example, 50 mg / cm ２ By setting the thickness and basis weight of the deformation layer 127 within this range, the detection sensitivity of the pressure sensor 121 in the vertical direction can be improved.

[0050] The lower limit of the thickness of the deformation layer 127 may be, for example, 150 μm or more, 200 μm or more, 250 μm or more, 300 μm or more, etc. The upper limit of the thickness of the deformation layer 127 may be, for example, 1000 μm or less, 600 μm or less, 500 μm or less, 400 μm or less, etc. In this embodiment, the thickness of the deformation layer 127 is set to 250 μm or more and 350 μm or less (e.g., 300 μm).

[0051] To facilitate deformation in the z-axis direction, the deformation layer 127 may be configured with a patterning structure including, for example, a columnar structure. This patterning structure can be a matrix, stripe, mesh, radial, geometric pattern, spiral, or other structure.

[0052] The support layer 124 supports the pressure sensor 121 and functions, for example, as a bonding layer that fixes the pressure sensor 121 to the outer peripheral surface 11a of the support body 11. The support layer 124 is formed of, for example, an adhesive layer such as double-sided tape.

[0053] (Exterior part) The exterior part 13 is a member that covers the outer peripheral surface part 12b (reference electrode layer 125) of the sensor sheet 12, and is attached for purposes such as protecting the sensor sheet 12 and improving the surface properties of the gripping area of ​​the controller 100. Furthermore, by attaching the exterior part 13, the controller 100 can be gripped without the slits 12s formed in the outer peripheral surface part 12b of the sensor sheet 12 coming into direct contact with the fingers of the user U. Note that the exterior part 13 may be omitted if necessary.

[0054] The exterior part 13 may be made of any material such as a flexible plastic film, a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, rubber, a foam material such as urethane, leather, a coating film, etc. The thickness of the exterior part 13 is, for example, 100 μm or more and 2000 μm or less.

[0055] [Function of Sensor Sheet] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for bonding the sensor sheet 12 to the support body 11 (housing 110 of the controller 100). The sensor sheet 12 is placed on a workbench T with the support layer 124 facing up. Next, the surface of the support body 11 (housing 110) is pressed against the support layer 124 of the sensor sheet 12 with a predetermined load, and the support body 11 is rotated so as to move to the right in the figure, thereby bonding the sensor sheet 12 to the entire circumference of the support body 11. A gap 12G formed between both ends of the sensor sheet 12 in the circumferential direction is set to, for example, within a range of 0 to 2 mm.

[0056] At this time, in order to prevent the sensor sheet 12 from shifting position, the work table T may be equipped with a chuck mechanism such as a vacuum suction mechanism, and the outer surface portion 12b (reference electrode layer 125) of the sensor sheet 12 may be adsorbed to the work table T.

[0057] The sensor sheet 12 attached to the surface of the support 11 curves with a curvature corresponding to the diameter of the support 11, as shown in Fig. 7. At this time, the tensile stress acting on the outer peripheral surface 12b of the sensor sheet 12 is alleviated by widening the multiple slits 12s formed in the outer peripheral surface 12b (see Fig. 7). Note that the inner peripheral surface 12a of the sensor sheet 12 is bonded to the surface of the support 11 by the support layer 124, and therefore the sensor sheet 12 is integrated with the support 11 without being displaced relative to the surface of the support 11 by the compressive stress acting on the inner peripheral surface 12a.

[0058] As shown in Figure 9, the inventors pressed a pressure probe P toward the center of the support 11 with a predetermined load against a sensor sheet 12 attached to the surface of the support 11, and evaluated the change over time in the output signal level of the sensor sheet 12 after the load was removed.

[0059] Here, the pressing element P was a cylinder with a diameter of 20 mm and a rubber hardness of 0, the predetermined load was 10 N, and the diameter of the support 11 was 38 mm. With regard to the sensor sheet 12, the thickness of the sensor electrode layer 122 was 100 μm, the thickness of the reference electrode layer 125 was 85 μm (PET 75 μm / Al foil 10 μm), the thickness of the deformation layer 127 was 300 μm, the arrangement pitch (node ​​pitch) of the sensing portions 128 in the circumferential direction was 10 mm, and the arrangement pitch (slit pitch) of the slits 12s in the circumferential direction was 5 mm.

[0060] Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the time change in the output signal level of the sensor sheet 12 obtained in the experiment shown in Fig. 9. Here, the remaining signal level ratio and maximum sensitivity were evaluated at time t2, one second after the load was removed at time t1. The remaining signal level ratio was defined as the ratio of the maximum signal level among all nodes at time t2 to the maximum signal level among all nodes at time t1. The maximum sensitivity was defined as the maximum signal level among all nodes when a load was applied.

[0061] As a result of the evaluation, the residual signal level ratio was 1% and the maximum sensitivity was 1700. When a similar evaluation was performed with a slit pitch of 10 mm, the residual signal level ratio was 3% and the maximum sensitivity was 1380. When a similar evaluation was performed using a sensor sheet without slits 12s, the residual signal level ratio was 20% and the maximum sensitivity was 950.

[0062] As described above, according to this embodiment, the signal level after unloading can be quickly restored to the same level as the signal level when no load is applied by providing the slits 12s in the outer peripheral surface portion 12b of the sensor sheet 12. This allows for quick detection of the gripping posture when the user U changes the way they hold the controller 100.

[0063] Furthermore, by reducing the spacing between the slits 12s, the residual signal level ratio can be further reduced. This is because, when the curved outer peripheral surface portion 12b is pressed, the residual signal level ratio tends to be higher in the peripheral region PB adjacent to the pressing area PA than in the pressing area PA, as conceptually shown in FIG. 11 . Therefore, by reducing the spacing between the slits 12s, the residual signal level ratio in the peripheral region PB can be reduced. As described above, the spacing between the slits 12s is optimized according to the spacing (node ​​pitch) of the sensing units 128.

[0064] Furthermore, by narrowing the spacing between the slits 12s, the maximum sensitivity of the sensor sheet 12 can be increased. This is because the smaller the spacing between the slits 12s, the easier it is for the pressing area PA to deform. Taking advantage of this, for example, as shown in FIG. 12 , a group of narrow slits 12s1 that are shorter and formed at a narrower pitch than the slits 12s may be provided in a predetermined area P1 of the outer peripheral surface portion 12b. In this case, the area P1 can be configured as a key for inputting predetermined information that is operated by the fingers of a user holding the controller 100.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the support 11 is a cylindrical member, but the present technology is not limited to this and can also be applied to a support having a partial cylindrical shape or a composite shape of a partial cylindrical shape and a flat shape. In this case, a slit is provided in the outer peripheral surface of the sensor sheet covering the partial cylindrical portion along the axial direction of the partial cylinder.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the slits 12s provided in the outer peripheral surface portion 12b of the sensor sheet 12s are formed parallel to the axial direction (x-axis direction) of the support body 11 as shown in Fig. 3, but this is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 13A, a group of slits inclined with respect to the axial direction may be employed, in which slits 12s2 are formed at intervals in the axial direction, and by arranging this group of slits at intervals in the circumferential direction of the support body 11, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above embodiment.

[0067] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 13B, for example, a group of slits may be adopted in which two types of slits 12s3, 12s4 formed at inclination angles symmetrical with respect to the axial direction are arranged alternately in the axial direction, and by arranging this group of slits at intervals in the circumferential direction of the support body 11, it is possible to obtain the same effect as in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0068] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a game controller 100 has been described as an example of an electronic device, but this is not limited to this, and the present technology can be applied to a sensor device that is attached to the surface of a housing that includes at least a cylindrical portion, such as the grip portion of a camera or the operating portion of a remote control.

[0069] The present technology can also be configured as follows. (1) A sensor device comprising: a support having a tubular portion; and a sensor sheet covering the tubular portion, the sensor sheet having an inner circumferential surface portion joined to the tubular portion, an outer circumferential surface portion that is a pressure detection surface, and a detection portion that electrostatically detects a pressure distribution acting on the outer circumferential surface portion, the outer circumferential surface portion having a plurality of slits extending from one end to the other end in the axial direction of the tubular portion. (2) The sensor device described in (1) above, wherein the plurality of slits extend linearly from one end to the other end in the axial direction and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the tubular portion. (3) The sensor device described in (2) above, wherein the tubular portion has a cylindrical shape. (4) The sensor device described in (2) or (3) above, wherein the sensor sheet has a sensor electrode layer in which a plurality of capacitive elements are arranged in a matrix, a reference electrode layer that forms the outer circumferential surface and is connected to a reference potential, and a deformation layer that is disposed between the sensor electrode layer and the reference electrode layer, and the plurality of slits are formed in the reference electrode layer. (5) The sensor device described in (4) above, wherein the plurality of slits are formed from the reference electrode layer to the deformation layer. (6) The sensor device described in (4) or (5) above, wherein the plurality of capacitive elements are arranged at a first interval in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion, and the plurality of slits are arranged at a second interval in the circumferential direction that is smaller than the first interval. (7) The sensor device described in any one of (4) to (6) above, wherein the sensor electrode layer has a sensing region in which the plurality of capacitive elements are formed and non-sensing regions located on both ends of the sensing region in the axial direction, and the plurality of slits are formed in the sensing region. (8) The sensor device according to (6) or (7) above, wherein the sensor sheet further has a group of narrow slits partially provided on the outer peripheral surface portion and arranged in the circumferential direction at a pitch shorter and narrower than that of the plurality of slits.(9) The sensor device according to (1) above, wherein the plurality of slits include a group of slits formed at intervals in the axial direction and inclined with respect to the axial direction, and the group of slits is arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion. (10) The sensor device according to (1) above, wherein the plurality of slits include a group of slits formed alternately along the axial direction at inclination angles symmetrical with respect to the axial direction, and the group of slits is arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion. (11) The sensor device according to any one of (1) to (10) above, further comprising an exterior part covering the outer circumferential surface part. (12) An electronic device comprising: a gripping portion having a tubular portion; a sensor sheet covering the tubular portion, the sensor sheet having an inner peripheral surface joined to the tubular portion, an outer peripheral surface serving as a pressure detection surface, and a detection portion that electrostatically detects the pressure distribution acting on the outer peripheral surface, the outer peripheral surface having a plurality of slits formed therein extending from one end of the tubular portion to the other end in the axial direction; and a control portion that determines the position of a user's fingers gripping the gripping portion based on the output of the sensor sheet.

[0070] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10...Sensor device 11...Support body 12...Sensor sheet 12a...Inner peripheral surface portion 12b...Outer peripheral surface portion 12s, 12s1, 12s2, 12s3, 12s4...Slits 13...Exterior portion 21...Control unit 100...Controller 110...Housing (support body) 111...Gripping portion 122...Sensor electrode layer 125...Reference electrode layer 127...Deformation layer 128...Sensing unit (detection unit)

Claims

1. A sensor device comprising: a support having a cylindrical portion; and a sensor sheet covering the cylindrical portion, the sensor sheet having an inner peripheral surface joined to the cylindrical portion, an outer peripheral surface serving as a pressure detection surface, and a detection portion that electrostatically detects the pressure distribution acting on the outer peripheral surface, the outer peripheral surface having a plurality of slits formed therein that extend from one end of the cylindrical portion to the other end in the axial direction.

2. A sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of slits extend linearly from one end to the other end in the axial direction and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion.

3. A sensor device according to claim 2, wherein the tubular portion has a cylindrical shape.

4. A sensor device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sensor sheet has a sensor electrode layer in which a plurality of capacitance elements are arranged in a matrix, a reference electrode layer which forms the outer peripheral surface and is connected to a reference potential, and a deformation layer which is disposed between the sensor electrode layer and the reference electrode layer, and the plurality of slits are formed in the reference electrode layer.

5. A sensor device according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of slits are formed from the reference electrode layer to the deformation layer.

6. A sensor device according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of capacitive elements are arranged at a first interval in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion, and the plurality of slits are arranged at a second interval in the circumferential direction that is smaller than the first interval.

7. A sensor device according to claim 4, wherein the sensor electrode layer has a sensing region in which the plurality of capacitance elements are formed and non-sensing regions located on both ends of the sensing region in the axial direction, and the plurality of slits are formed in the sensing region.

8. A sensor device according to claim 6, wherein the sensor sheet further has a group of narrow slits partially provided on the outer peripheral surface and arranged in the circumferential direction at a pitch shorter and narrower than that of the plurality of slits.

9. A sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of slits include a group of slits formed at intervals in the axial direction and inclined relative to the axial direction, and the group of slits is arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion.

10. A sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of slits include groups of slits formed alternately along the axial direction at inclination angles symmetrical with respect to the axial direction, and the groups of slits are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion.

11. A sensor device according to claim 1, further comprising an exterior portion that covers the outer peripheral surface portion.

12. An electronic device comprising: a gripping section having a cylindrical section; a sensor sheet covering the cylindrical section, the sensor sheet having an inner peripheral surface joined to the cylindrical section, an outer peripheral surface that is a pressure detection surface, and a detection section that electrostatically detects the pressure distribution acting on the outer peripheral surface, the outer peripheral surface having a plurality of slits formed therein that extend from one end of the cylindrical section to the other end in the axial direction; and a control section that determines the position of the user's fingers gripping the gripping section based on the output of the sensor sheet.

Images