Sensor unit, tactile presentation device, and electronic apparatus

Abstract

This sensor unit includes: a plate-shaped member having a first upper main surface and a first lower main surface; and a first sensor fixed to the first lower main surface and detecting deformation of the plate-shaped member. The first upper main surface has a first operation region and a non-operation region. At least a section of the first sensor is disposed in a region overlapping the first operation region as viewed in the vertical direction. The non-operation region is less likely to deform than the first operation region.

Description

Sensor unit, tactile presentation device and electronic device

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor unit, a tactile presentation device, and an electronic device.

[0002] A known example of an invention relating to an electronic device equipped with a conventional sensor unit is the notebook PC described in Patent Document 1. The notebook PC described in Patent Document 1 includes a main body housing. The main body housing is provided with a flat keyboard as an input device. In the flat keyboard, images indicating the positions of multiple keys that accept input of characters, commands, etc. are displayed on a panel equipped with a touch sensor. The flat keyboard includes a touch sensor that detects a physical quantity indicating the pressure state of a user's finger or the like on the flat keyboard.

[0003] Patent No. 6840805

[0004] In the notebook PC described in Patent Document 1, when a user presses a non-operation area other than the flat keyboard (operation area) on the main body housing, the touch sensor may detect the press. If an attempt is made to avoid this, the user may be unable to place their palm on the non-operation area of ​​the main body housing when pressing the flat keyboard with their fingers, which may cause fatigue.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sensor unit, a tactile presentation device, and an electronic device that can prevent the sensor from detecting pressure on the non-operation area.

[0006] A sensor unit according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a plate-shaped member having a first upper main surface and a first lower main surface; and a first sensor fixed to the first lower main surface and detecting deformation of the plate-shaped member; wherein the first upper main surface has a first operation area and a non-operation area, and at least a portion of the first sensor is provided in an area that overlaps with the first operation area when viewed in the vertical direction, and the non-operation area is less susceptible to deformation than the first operation area.

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the sensor from detecting a pressure on the non-operation area.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the electronic device 100. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the electronic device 100. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the first sensor 3a in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the state when a user presses the first operation area A1 and the non-operation area A2 of the plate-shaped member 2 in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the state when a user presses the first operation area A1 and the non-operation area A2 of the plate-shaped member 2 in the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device 100a. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the electronic device 100b. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the electronic device 100b. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the first sensor 3a in the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the sensor unit 1b. FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view of the electronic device 100b. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing how the sensor unit 1b estimates the first pressing position PP1 and the magnitude F1 of the first pressing force using the first sensor 3a in the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view of the electronic device 100b. FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the state when a user presses the first operation area A1 and the non-operation area A2 of the plate-shaped member 2 in the second embodiment. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the state when a user presses the first operation area A1 and the non-operation area A2 of the plate-shaped member 2 in the second embodiment. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the electronic device 100c. FIG. 19 is a plan view of the electronic device 100c. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in FIG. 19. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along DD in FIG. 19. FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the second sensor 3b in the third embodiment. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device 100d. FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the electronic device 100e. FIG. 25 is a plan view of the electronic device 100e. Fig. 26 is an exploded perspective view of the second sensor 3b in the fourth embodiment. Fig. 27 is a block diagram of the sensor unit 1e. Fig. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device 100f. Fig. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device 100g. Fig. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device 100h. Fig. 31 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device 100i. Fig. 32 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device 100j. Fig. 33 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device 100k when a user presses the first operation area A1 of the plate-like member 2 in the sixth embodiment. Fig. 34 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device 100k.Fig. 35 is a perspective view of the electronic device 100l. Fig. 36 is a plan view of the film 11. Fig. 37 is a plan view of the film 12. Fig. 38 is a schematic plan view of the electronic device 100l when a conductive object M1 presses the electronic device 100l. Fig. 39 is a schematic plan view of the electronic device 100l when a conductive object M2 presses the electronic device 100l. Fig. 40 is a flowchart for determining whether or not the sensor unit 1l outputs the estimated first pressing position PP1 and magnitude F1 of the first pressing force.

[0009] [First Embodiment] The configuration of an electronic device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the electronic device 100. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the electronic device 100. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the first sensor 3a. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the first embodiment when a user presses the first operation area A1 and the non-operation area A2 of the plate-shaped member 2. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment when a user presses the first operation area A1 and the non-operation area A2 of the plate-shaped member 2.

[0010] In this specification, directions are defined as follows. As shown in FIG. 1 , the direction in which the long side of the first upper principal surface US2 extends is defined as the left-right direction. The direction in which the short side of the first upper principal surface US2 extends is defined as the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 5 , the direction in which the first electrode 3a2 and the piezoelectric film 3a1 are aligned is defined as the up-down direction. The left-right direction, front-rear direction, and up-down direction are perpendicular to each other. However, the left-right direction, front-rear direction, and up-down direction in this specification are defined for the convenience of explanation and may not coincide with the left-right direction, front-rear direction, and up-down direction when the sensor unit 1 or the electronic device 100 is in use. Furthermore, in each drawing, the left and right directions may be interchanged, the front and rear directions may be interchanged, and the up and down directions may be interchanged.

[0011] The electronic device 100 is a tablet computer. The electronic device 100 is an example of an electronic device according to the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the electronic device 100 includes a sensor unit 1 and a housing 4a.

[0012] The housing 4a has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, but the top surface of the housing 4a is open, and thus the housing 4a includes a bottom portion 4a1 and a support portion 4a2.

[0013] The bottom 4a1 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. In this embodiment, the bottom 4a1 is plate-shaped. The support portion 4a2 is located on the upper surface of the bottom 4a1. The support portion 4a2 is supported by the bottom 4a1. The support portion 4a2 has a frame shape. In this embodiment, the inner and outer edges of the support portion 4a2 each have a rectangular shape when viewed in the vertical direction. Therefore, when viewed in the downward direction, the opening OP1 of the housing 4a has a rectangular shape. In this embodiment, the outer edge of the support portion 4a2 when viewed in the vertical direction coincides with the outer edge of the bottom 4a1 when viewed in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the inner edge of the support portion 4a2 when viewed in the vertical direction is surrounded by the outer edge of the bottom 4a1 when viewed in the vertical direction. Note that the bottom 4a1 does not have to be plate-shaped. Furthermore, the inner and outer edges of the support portion 4a2 do not have to have a rectangular shape when viewed in the vertical direction. Therefore, the opening OP1 does not have to be rectangular when viewed from below. Also, the outer edge of the support portion 4a2 when viewed from above does not have to coincide with the outer edge of the bottom portion 4a1 when viewed from above. The shape and arrangement of the housing 4a are not limited to those shown in this embodiment.

[0014] The sensor unit 1 is flexible. As shown in Fig. 3, the sensor unit 1 includes a plate-like member 2 and a first sensor 3a. The plate-like member 2 and the first sensor 3a are arranged in this order along the downward direction.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2 , the plate-shaped member 2 has a first upper principal surface US2 and a first lower principal surface DS2 arranged in this order along the downward direction. When viewed in the vertical direction, the plate-shaped member 2 has a rectangular shape with two long sides extending in the left-right direction and two short sides extending in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the outer edge of the plate-shaped member 2 when viewed in the vertical direction coincides with the outer edge of the support portion 4a2 when viewed in the vertical direction. The vicinity of the outer edge of the first lower principal surface DS2 is supported on the upper surface of the support portion 4a2 by an adhesive such as double-sided tape, a thermosetting adhesive, a thermoplastic adhesive, or a UV (Ultra Violet) curing adhesive. Note that the plate-shaped member 2 does not have to have a rectangular shape when viewed in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the outer edge of the plate-shaped member 2 when viewed in the vertical direction does not have to coincide with the outer edge of the support portion 4a2 when viewed in the vertical direction. The shape and arrangement of the plate-shaped member 2 are not limited to those shown in this embodiment.

[0016] In this embodiment, the plate-shaped member 2 is a surface panel such as a touch panel. The structure of a touch panel is a common structure and will not be described here. A user presses the first upper principal surface US2 using a pen, the user's finger, or the like. That is, the first upper principal surface US2 is an operation surface that accepts the user's pressing operation. More specifically, the first upper principal surface US2 has a first operation area A1 and a non-operation area A2. The user presses the first operation area A1 using a pen, the user's finger, or the like. The plate-shaped member 2 is not limited to a touch panel and may be a transparent plate, a protective sheet, or the like. The plate-shaped member 2 may also be a display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence display. The shapes and arrangements of the first operation area A1 and the non-operation area A2 are not limited to those shown in this embodiment.

[0017] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the support portion 4a2 is not located below the first operation area A1, but rather an opening OP1 is located there. In other words, the housing 4a has an opening OP1 in an area that overlaps with the first operation area A1 when viewed in the vertical direction. This allows the plate-like member 2 to deform downward in the area that overlaps with the first operation area A1 when viewed in the vertical direction. In addition, the first sensor 3a is located below the first operation area A1. That is, the first sensor 3a is located within the opening OP1 when viewed in the vertical direction. In addition, a bottom 4a1 is located below the first sensor 3a.

[0018] The opening OP1 is not located below the non-operation area A2, but the support portion 4a2 is located thereunder. In other words, the support portion 4a2 supports the first lower main surface DS2 in an area that overlaps with the non-operation area A2 in a vertical view. As a result, even if the plate-shaped member 2 attempts to deform downward in an area that overlaps with the non-operation area A2 in a vertical view, the support portion 4a2 inhibits the deformation of the plate-shaped member 2. Therefore, in an area that overlaps with the non-operation area A2 in a vertical view, the plate-shaped member 2 is less likely to deform downward. In other words, the non-operation area A2 is less likely to deform than the first operation area A1.

[0019] The first sensor 3a is film-like and flexible. The first sensor 3a detects deformation of the plate-like member 2. More specifically, the first sensor 3a has an upper principal surface US3a and a lower principal surface DS3a arranged in this order along the downward direction. When viewed in the vertical direction, the first sensor 3a has a rectangular shape with two long sides extending in the left-right direction and two short sides extending in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the outer edge of the first sensor 3a when viewed in the vertical direction is surrounded by the outer edge of the plate-like member 2 when viewed in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the first sensor 3a is provided on the first lower principal surface DS2. More specifically, the first sensor 3a is fixed to the first lower principal surface DS2 with an adhesive such as double-sided tape, a thermosetting adhesive, a thermoplastic adhesive, or a UV (Ultra Violet) curing adhesive. The upper principal surface US3a corresponds to a fourth upper principal surface according to the present invention. The lower main surface DS3a corresponds to a fourth lower main surface according to the present invention.

[0020] In this embodiment, the first sensor 3a is not in contact with the housing 4a. More specifically, the outer edge of the first sensor 3a in a vertical view is surrounded by the inner edge of the support portion 4a2 in a vertical view. In this embodiment, the first sensor 3a is located in an area overlapping the first operation area A1 in a vertical view, but is not located in an area overlapping the non-operation area A2 in a vertical view. Therefore, the entire first sensor 3a is located in the area overlapping the first operation area A1 in a vertical view. This allows the first sensor 3a to deform in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. Furthermore, a space is provided below the first sensor 3a. Therefore, the first sensor 3a can also deform downward. As shown in FIG. 5 , the first sensor 3a includes a piezoelectric film 3a1, a first electrode 3a2, and a second electrode 3a3. That is, in this embodiment, the first sensor 3a is a piezoelectric sensor. The first electrode 3a2, the piezoelectric film 3a1, and the second electrode 3a3 are arranged in this order in a downward direction. The first sensor 3a is not limited to a piezoelectric sensor, but may be a strain gauge. The arrangement of the piezoelectric film 3a1, the first electrode 3a2, and the second electrode 3a3 is not limited to that shown in this embodiment.

[0021] The piezoelectric film 3a1 is flexible. The piezoelectric film 3a1 has a second upper principal surface US3a1 and a second lower principal surface DS3a1, which are arranged in this order in a downward direction. When viewed in the vertical direction, the second upper principal surface US3a1 and the second lower principal surface DS3a1 each have a rectangular shape with two long sides extending in the left-right direction and two short sides extending in the front-to-back direction. The shape of the piezoelectric film 3a1 is not limited to the shape shown in this embodiment.

[0022] The piezoelectric film 3a1 is polarized by deformation, generating a potential difference between the second upper principal surface US3a1 and the second lower principal surface DS3a1. The potential difference generated between the second upper principal surface US3a1 and the second lower principal surface DS3a1 depends on the amount of deformation of the piezoelectric film 3a1.

[0023] The piezoelectric film 3a1 is, for example, a film formed from a chiral polymer. The chiral polymer is, for example, polylactic acid (PLA), such as poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) or poly-D-lactic acid (PDLA). PLA has a helical structure in its main chain. PLA has piezoelectricity due to the orientation of its molecules through uniaxial stretching. The piezoelectric film 3a1 has a piezoelectric constant of d14.

[0024] The PLA is stretched in a uniaxial stretching direction OD1. The uniaxial stretching direction OD1 of the PLA forms a 45-degree angle with respect to both the left-right direction and the front-back direction. The 45-degree angle may be within a range of approximately 45 degrees ±10 degrees. When the piezoelectric film 3a1 is stretched or compressed along the left-right direction, a potential difference is generated between the second upper principal surface US3a1 and the second lower principal surface DS3a1. Similarly, when the piezoelectric film 3a1 is stretched or compressed along the front-back direction, a potential difference is generated between the second upper principal surface US3a1 and the second lower principal surface DS3a1. In this embodiment, the magnitude of the potential difference generated between the second upper principal surface US3a1 and the second lower principal surface DS3a1 is proportional to the differential value of the deformation amount of the piezoelectric film 3a1.

[0025] The first electrode 3a2 is flexible and conductive. The material of the first electrode 3a2 is, for example, copper. The first electrode 3a2 has an upper principal surface and a lower principal surface arranged in this order along the downward direction. When viewed in the vertical direction, the upper principal surface and the lower principal surface each have a rectangular shape with two long sides extending in the left-right direction and two short sides extending in the front-to-back direction. The first electrode 3a2 is provided on the second upper principal surface US3a1 of the piezoelectric film 3a1. In this embodiment, the first electrode 3a2 covers the second upper principal surface US3a1. Therefore, the upper principal surface of the first electrode 3a2 coincides with the upper principal surface US3a. The first electrode 3a2 functions as a signal electrode for outputting the potential difference generated by the piezoelectric film 3a1 as an electric charge. In this embodiment, the upper principal surface of the first electrode 3a2 is provided on the first lower principal surface DS2. Note that the shape of the first electrode 3a2 is not limited to the shape shown in this embodiment.

[0026] The second electrode 3a3 is flexible and conductive. The material of the second electrode 3a3 is, for example, copper. The second electrode 3a3 is in the form of a film. The second electrode 3a3 has an upper main surface and a lower main surface arranged in this order along the downward direction. When viewed in the vertical direction, the upper main surface and the lower main surface of the second electrode 3a3 each have a rectangular shape with two long sides extending in the left-right direction and two short sides extending in the front-back direction. The second electrode 3a3 is provided on the second lower main surface DS3a1. In this embodiment, the second electrode 3a3 covers the second lower main surface DS3a1. Therefore, the lower main surface of the second electrode 3a3 coincides with the lower main surface DS3a. The second electrode 3a3 is connected to a ground potential and functions as a reference electrode and a shield conductor. The shape of the second electrode 3a3 is not limited to the shape shown in this embodiment.

[0027] Alternatively, the second electrode 3a3 may be provided on the second upper principal surface US3a1, and the first electrode 3a2 may be provided on the second lower principal surface DS3a1.

[0028] The sensor unit 1 can prevent the first sensor 3a from detecting a pressure on the non-operation area A2. More specifically, the first sensor 3a is provided in an area overlapping the first operation area A1 in a vertical view. Furthermore, the non-operation area A2 is less likely to deform than the first operation area A1. Therefore, when the first operation area A1 is pressed, the first operation area A1 and the first sensor 3a deform, allowing the first sensor 3a to detect the deformation of the plate-like member 2. On the other hand, when the non-operation area A2 is pressed, the non-operation area A2 is less likely to deform, making the first sensor 3a less likely to deform, and the first sensor 3a less likely to detect a pressure on the non-operation area A2. As a result, the sensor unit 1 can prevent the first sensor 3a from detecting a pressure on the non-operation area A2. This allows the user to place their palm on the non-operation area A2 when pressing the first operation area A1, allowing them to press the first operation area A1 without feeling fatigued.

[0029] Furthermore, according to the sensor unit 1, the first sensor 3a can instantly detect a pressure applied to the first operation area A1. More specifically, piezoelectric elements have excellent responsiveness. Therefore, the piezoelectric film 3a1 instantly generates a potential difference between the second upper principal surface US3a1 and the second lower principal surface DS3a1 due to deformation. As a result, according to the sensor unit 1, the first sensor 3a can instantly detect a pressure applied to the first operation area A1.

[0030] Furthermore, according to the sensor unit 1, the plate-like member 2 may be a display, which allows the user to perform operations such as launching an application by pressing an object displayed on the display against the first upper main surface US2 using a pen, a finger, or the like.

[0031] Furthermore, according to the electronic device 100, the first sensor 3a can be more effectively prevented from detecting pressure on the non-operation area A2. More specifically, the housing 4a supports the first lower main surface DS2 in an area that overlaps with the non-operation area A2 when viewed in the vertical direction. This makes it possible to make the non-operation area A2 less susceptible to deformation than the first operation area A1. Therefore, when the non-operation area A2 is pressed, the first sensor 3a is less susceptible to deformation, and the first sensor 3a is less likely to detect pressure on the non-operation area A2. As a result, according to the electronic device 100, it is possible to more effectively prevent the first sensor 3a from detecting pressure on the non-operation area A2.

[0032] Furthermore, according to the electronic device 100, the first sensor 3a can more reliably detect pressure on the first operation area A1. More specifically, a space is provided below the first sensor 3a in an area that overlaps with the first operation area A1 when viewed in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the first operation area A1 is pressed, the first sensor 3a deforms more reliably, and the first sensor 3a can more reliably detect the deformation of the plate-like member 2.

[0033] In the present embodiment, the support portion 4a2 supports the first lower main surface DS2 in the region overlapping with the non-operation region A2 in the up-down direction, thereby making it difficult for the plate-shaped member 2 to deform downward in the region overlapping with the non-operation region A2 in the up-down direction. However, this is not limiting. For example, the elastic modulus of the plate-shaped member 2 may vary depending on the location. Specifically, the elastic modulus of the non-operation region A2 may be greater than the elastic modulus of the first operation region A1, making it difficult for the plate-shaped member 2 to deform.

[0034] [First Modification] A sensor unit 1a and an electronic device 100a according to a first modification of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device 100a. Note that only the differences between the sensor unit 1a and the electronic device 100 and those of the sensor unit 1 and the electronic device 100 will be described, and the rest will be omitted.

[0035] The horizontal length of the first sensor 3a in the sensor unit 1a is longer than the horizontal length of the first sensor 3a in the sensor unit 1. As a result, in this modification, the first sensor 3a is in contact with the housing 4a. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8 , the outer edge of the first sensor 3a in a vertical view coincides with the outer edge of the support portion 4a2 in a vertical view. The vicinity of the outer edge of the lower main surface DS3a is supported on the upper surface of the support portion 4a2 by an adhesive such as double-sided tape, a thermosetting adhesive, a thermoplastic adhesive, or a UV (Ultra Violet) curing adhesive. In other words, the support portion 4a2 supports the lower main surface DS3a of the first sensor 3a in a region overlapping the non-operation region A2 in a vertical view. That is, in this modification, the first sensor 3a is provided in both a region overlapping the first operation region A1 in a vertical view and a region overlapping the non-operation region A2 in a vertical view. Therefore, at least a portion of the first sensor 3a is provided in the area overlapping with the first operation area A1 when viewed in the vertical direction. As a result, a space is provided below the first sensor 3a in the area overlapping with the first operation area A1 when viewed in the vertical direction. Note that the outer edge of the first sensor 3a when viewed in the vertical direction does not have to coincide with the outer edge of the support portion 4a2 when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0036] In the area overlapping with the non-operation area A2 in the vertical direction, even if the first sensor 3a tries to deform downward, the support portion 4a2 inhibits the deformation. Therefore, in the area overlapping with the non-operation area A2 in the vertical direction, the first sensor 3a is less likely to deform downward.

[0037] However, in the area overlapping with the first operation area A1 in the vertical direction, a space is provided below the first sensor 3a, so that the first sensor 3a can deform downward in the area overlapping with the first operation area A1 in the vertical direction.

[0038] The sensor unit 1a and the electronic device 100a also achieve the same effects as the sensor unit 1 and the electronic device 100, respectively. The length in the front-to-rear direction of the first sensor 3a in the sensor unit 1a may be longer than the length in the front-to-rear direction of the first sensor 3a in the sensor unit 1. In other words, the outer edge of the first sensor 3a when viewed in the vertical direction does not have to be surrounded by the outer edge of the plate-like member 2 when viewed in the vertical direction, and may coincide with the outer edge of the plate-like member 2 when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0039] Second Embodiment A sensor unit 1b and an electronic device 100b according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the electronic device 100b. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the electronic device 100b. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the first sensor 3a according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the sensor unit 1b. FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view of the electronic device 100b. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing how the sensor unit 1b estimates the first pressing position PP1 and the magnitude F1 of the first pressing force using the first sensor 3a according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view of the electronic device 100b. FIG. 16 is a plan view of the second embodiment when a user presses the first operation area A1 and the non-operation area A2 of the plate-shaped member 2. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment when a user presses the first operation area A1 and the non-operation area A2 of the plate-shaped member 2. Regarding the sensor unit 1b and the electronic device 100b, only the differences from the sensor unit 1 and the electronic device 100 will be described, and the rest will be omitted.

[0040] 9, the electronic device 100b is a notebook computer. However, the electronic device according to the present invention is not limited to a tablet computer or a notebook computer.

[0041] The electronic device 100b further includes a housing 4b, a display 5, and connecting portions 6a and 6b.

[0042] The housing 4b has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The display 5 displays an image. The display 5 is provided on the housing 4b. The connecting portions 6a and 6b are, for example, hinges. The housings 4a and 4b are connected by the connecting portions 6a and 6b. More specifically, the connecting portions 6a and 6b support the housings 4a and 4b so that they can be opened and closed.

[0043] 10, predetermined keys are arranged or a key layout is printed in the first operation area A1. If the plate-like member 2 is a display, the predetermined key layout may be projected in the first operation area A1.

[0044] 11, in this embodiment, the first sensor 3a includes first electrodes 3a2a to 3a2d instead of the first electrode 3a2. Note that the structure of the first electrodes 3a2a to 3a2d is the same as the structure of the first electrode 3a2, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0045] In this embodiment, the first electrode 3a2a is provided at the left front corner of the second upper principal surface US3a1. The first electrode 3a2b is provided at the left rear corner of the second upper principal surface US3a1. The first electrode 3a2c is provided at the right front corner of the second upper principal surface US3a1. The first electrode 3a2d is provided at the right rear corner of the second upper principal surface US3a1. The shapes and arrangements of the first electrodes 3a2a to 3a2d are not limited to those shown in this embodiment. For example, the second electrode 3a3 may be provided on the second upper principal surface US3a1, and the first electrodes 3a2a to 3a2d may be provided on the second lower principal surface DS3a1.

[0046] 12, the sensor unit 1b further includes charge amplifiers 3a4a to 3a4d, an arithmetic circuit 35, and a memory 36. The charge amplifiers 3a4a to 3a4d, the arithmetic circuit 35, and the memory 36 are located, for example, within an opening OP1.

[0047] Charge amplifiers 3a4a to 3a4d convert the charges output by first electrodes 3a2a to 3a2d into voltage signals vaa to vad, respectively, and output them to arithmetic circuit 35. Note that charge amplifiers 3a4a to 3a4d are not essential components of the present invention. First electrodes 3a2a to 3a2d may each directly output the potential difference generated by piezoelectric film 3a1 as a charge to arithmetic circuit 35. Alternatively, first electrodes 3a2a to 3a2d may each output the potential difference generated by piezoelectric film 3a1 as an electrical signal to arithmetic circuit 35.

[0048] The arithmetic circuit 35 reads from the memory 36 a program for processing to estimate the first pressing position PP1 at which the first upper principal surface US2 is pressed and the magnitude F1 of the first pressing force applied to the first upper principal surface US2 based on the voltage signals vaa to vad. The memory 36 has, for example, a read-only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM). The arithmetic circuit 35 reads the program stored in the ROM into the RAM. As a result, the arithmetic circuit 35 performs processing to estimate the first pressing position PP1 and the magnitude F1 of the first pressing force based on the voltage signals vaa to vad. Such an arithmetic circuit 35 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU).

[0049] The memory 36 has input in advance the distance xa1 between first electrode 3a2a and predetermined point P on piezoelectric film 3a1, the distance xb1 between first electrode 3a2b and predetermined point P on piezoelectric film 3a1, the distance xc1 between first electrode 3a2c and predetermined point P on piezoelectric film 3a1, the distance xd1 between first electrode 3a2d and predetermined point P on piezoelectric film 3a1, the force magnitude F0, and the voltage values ​​Vaa1 to Vad1. The voltage values ​​Vaa1 to Vad1 are the values ​​of the voltage signals vaa to vad that the charge amplifiers 3a4a to 3a4d output to the arithmetic circuit 35 when point P is pressed downward with a force magnitude F0. In addition to the above program, the memory 36 also stores the distances xa1 to xd1, the force magnitude F0, and the voltage values ​​Vaa1 to Vad1.

[0050] 13, in this embodiment, point P is the center O of the first sensor 3a. Distances xa1 to xd1 are each distance D and are equal to one another. Note that point P is not limited to the center O of the first sensor 3a. Furthermore, distances xa1 to xd1 do not have to be equal to one another.

[0051] The following describes in detail the process for estimating the first pressing position PP1 and the magnitude F1 of the first pressing force performed by the arithmetic circuit 35. This process begins when the arithmetic circuit 35 acquires the voltage signals vaa to vad (FIG. 14: step S1).

[0052] Next, the arithmetic circuit 35 estimates the first pressing position PP1 ( FIG. 14 : step S2). Specifically, when the piezoelectric film 3a1 is pressed with the same force, the longer the distance between the first electrode and the first pressing position PP1, the smaller the voltage signal. Therefore, when the piezoelectric film 3a1 is pressed with the same force, the magnitude of the voltage signal is considered to be inversely proportional to the distance between the first electrode and the first pressing position PP1. For the first electrode 3a2a, when the distance between the first electrode 3a2a and the first pressing position PP1 is D, the voltage signal vaa has a voltage value Vaa1. Therefore, the distance xa between the first electrode 3a2a and the first pressing position PP1 can be expressed by the following equation 1 using the voltage signal vaa, the voltage value Vaa1, and the distance D.

[0053]

[0054] Similarly, the distance xb between the first electrode 3a2b and the first pressing position PP1, the distance xc between the first electrode 3a2c and the first pressing position PP1, and the distance xd between the first electrode 3a2d and the first pressing position PP1 are respectively expressed by the following equations 2 to 4 using the voltage signals vab to vad, the voltage values ​​Vab1 to Vad1, and the distance D.

[0055]

[0056]

[0057]

[0058] 15, distances xa to xd can be obtained from equations 1 to 4. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 35 can estimate the first pressed position PP1 based on the voltage signals vaa to vad.

[0059] In this embodiment, the first sensor 3 a is not limited to including four first electrodes, but may include a plurality of first electrodes. The more first electrodes the first sensor 3 a includes, the more accurately the first pressing position PP1 can be estimated.

[0060] The method by which the arithmetic circuit 35 estimates the first pressing position PP1 is not limited to the method described in this embodiment. For example, a matrix associating distances xa to xd with voltage signals vaa to vad may be input in advance to the memory 36, and when the arithmetic circuit 35 acquires the voltage signals vaa to vad, the arithmetic circuit 35 may extract the distances xa to xd corresponding to the voltage signals vaa to vad from the matrix to estimate the first pressing position PP1.

[0061] Next, the arithmetic circuit 35 estimates the first pressing position PP1 (FIG. 14: step S3). Specifically, when the piezoelectric film 3a1 is pressed, the greater the magnitude F1 of the first pressing force, the greater the sum of the voltage signals vaa to vad. Therefore, when the piezoelectric film 3a1 is pressed, the sum of the voltage signals vaa to vad is considered to be proportional to the magnitude F1 of the first pressing force. When the magnitude of the force is F0, the sum of the voltage signals vaa to vad is Vaa1 + Vab1 + Vac1 + Vad1. Therefore, the magnitude F1 of the first pressing force is expressed by the following equation 5 using the voltage signals vaa to vad, the voltage values ​​Vaa1 to Vad1, and the magnitude F0 of the force.

[0062]

[0063] The magnitude F1 of the first pressing force can be calculated using Equation 5. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 35 can estimate the first pressing position PP1 based on the voltage signals vaa to vad.

[0064] The method by which the arithmetic circuit 35 estimates the magnitude F1 of the first pressing force is not limited to the method described in this embodiment.

[0065] Next, the arithmetic circuit 35 outputs the estimated first pressing position PP1 and the magnitude F1 of the first pressing force (FIG. 14: step S4).

[0066] The sensor unit 1b also achieves the same effect as the sensor unit 1. Furthermore, the sensor unit 1b can estimate the first pressing position PP1 where the first upper principal surface US2 is pressed and the magnitude F1 of the first pressing force applied to the first upper principal surface US2. More specifically, the first sensor 3a includes multiple first electrodes provided on the second upper principal surface US3a1. When the first operation area A1 is pressed, the electric charge generated by the piezoelectric film 3a1 is distributed across the second upper principal surface US3a1. The greater the deformation of a portion of the piezoelectric film 3a1, the greater the amount of electric charge generated at that portion. Because the first sensor 3a includes multiple first electrodes, each of the multiple first electrodes outputs an electric charge corresponding to the electric charge distribution on the second upper principal surface US3a1. The arithmetic circuit 35 estimates the first pressing position PP1 where the first upper principal surface US2 is pressed and the magnitude F1 of the first pressing force applied to the first upper principal surface US2 based on the charges output from each of the plurality of first electrodes. As a result, the sensor unit 1b can estimate the first pressing position PP1 where the first upper principal surface US2 is pressed and the magnitude F1 of the first pressing force applied to the first upper principal surface US2. This allows the user to operate the keyboard while placing their palm in the non-operation area A2.

[0067] In the present embodiment, the arithmetic circuit 35 may estimate only the first pressing position PP1 without estimating the magnitude F1 of the first pressing force. Alternatively, the arithmetic circuit 35 may estimate only the magnitude F1 of the first pressing force without estimating the first pressing position PP1.

[0068] Alternatively, the sensor unit 1b may not include the memory 36, and the arithmetic circuit 35 may estimate the first pressing position PP1 and the magnitude F1 of the first pressing force based on the voltage signals vaa to vad. For example, the arithmetic circuit 35 may estimate the first pressing position PP1 by comparing the magnitudes of the voltage signals vaa to vad. Alternatively, for example, the arithmetic circuit 35 may calculate the sum of the voltage signals vaa to vad based on the voltage signals vaa to vad, and estimate the magnitude F1 of the first pressing force from the sum of the voltage signals vaa to vad.

[0069] Third Embodiment A sensor unit 1c and an electronic device 100c according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the electronic device 100c. FIG. 19 is a plan view of the electronic device 100c. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in FIG. 19. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along DD in FIG. 19. FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of a second sensor 3b according to the third embodiment. Note that only the parts of the sensor unit 1c and the electronic device 100c that are different from the sensor unit 1 and the electronic device 100 will be described, and the rest will be omitted.

[0070] The electronic device 100c differs from the electronic device 100 in that an opening OP2 is further provided in the housing 4a.

[0071] In this embodiment, the support portion 4a2 has a figure-eight shape in a seven-segment display when viewed in the vertical direction. The support portion 4a2 has a first support portion 4a21 having a frame shape and a second support portion 4a22 surrounded by the first support portion 4a21 when viewed in the vertical direction. The opening OP2 is located behind the opening OP1. The opening OP2 is located in the center of the electronic device 100c in the left-right direction. The opening OP2 has a rectangular shape when viewed downward. In this embodiment, the opening OP2 is smaller than the opening OP1. Note that the support portion 4a2 does not have to have a figure-eight shape in a seven-segment display when viewed in the vertical direction. The shape and arrangement of the opening OP2 are not limited to those shown in this embodiment. The opening OP2 may be the same size as or larger than the opening OP1. Note that the second support portion 4a22 corresponds to the support portion according to the present invention.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 18 , the first upper principal surface US2 further includes a second operation area A3. The second operation area A3 is spaced apart from the first operation area A1. As a result, the non-operation area A2 includes a first non-operation area PA2 located between the first operation area A1 and the second operation area A3. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19 , the second operation area A3 is located behind the first operation area A1. The second operation area A3 is also located in the center of the first upper principal surface US2 in the left-right direction. The user may use a pen or finger to perform a pressing operation not only on the first operation area A1 but also on the second operation area A3. The shape and layout of the second operation area A3 are not limited to those shown in this embodiment.

[0073] 20 and 21 , the support portion 4a2 is not located below the second operation area A3, but rather an opening OP2 is located there. In other words, the housing 4a has an opening OP2 in an area that overlaps with the second operation area A3 when viewed in the vertical direction. This allows the plate-like member 2 to deform downward in the area that overlaps with the second operation area A3 when viewed in the vertical direction. In addition, a second sensor 3b is located below the second operation area A3. In other words, the second sensor 3b is located within the opening OP2 when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 21 , the openings OP1 and OP2 are not located below the first non-operation area PA2, but the second support portion 4a22 is located below. In other words, the second support portion 4a22 supports the first lower main surface DS2 in the area overlapping with the first non-operation area PA2 in a vertical view. As a result, even if the plate-shaped member 2 attempts to deform downward in the area overlapping with the first non-operation area PA2 in a vertical view, the second support portion 4a22 inhibits the deformation of the plate-shaped member 2. Therefore, in the area overlapping with the first non-operation area PA1 in a vertical view, the plate-shaped member 2 is less likely to deform downward. In other words, the second operation area A3 is more easily deformed than the non-operation area A2.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 21 , the sensor unit 1c further includes a second sensor 3b. The second sensor 3b is a flexible film. The second sensor 3b detects deformation of the plate-like member 2. The second sensor 3b includes a piezoelectric film 3b1, a third electrode 3b2, and a fourth electrode 3b3. The structures of the second sensor 3b, the piezoelectric film 3b1, the third electrode 3b2, and the fourth electrode 3b3 are the same as those of the first sensor 3a, the piezoelectric film 3a1, the first electrode 3a2, and the second electrode 3a3, respectively, and therefore will not be described here. The second sensor 3b is fixed to the first lower principal surface DS2 with an adhesive such as double-sided tape, a thermosetting adhesive, a thermoplastic adhesive, or a UV (Ultra Violet) curing adhesive. The second sensor 3b is not limited to a piezoelectric sensor and may be a strain gauge. In this embodiment, the second sensor 3b is smaller than the first sensor 3a when viewed in the vertical direction. It should be noted that the second sensor 3b does not have to be smaller than the first sensor 3a when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0076] 22, the piezoelectric film 3b1 has an upper principal surface US3b1 and a lower principal surface DS3b1. The upper principal surface US3b1 corresponds to the second upper principal surface US3a1 of the piezoelectric film 3a1, and the lower principal surface DS3b1 corresponds to the second lower principal surface DS3a1 of the piezoelectric film 3a1. In the piezoelectric film 3b1, the PLA is stretched in a uniaxial stretching direction OD2. The uniaxial stretching direction OD2 corresponds to the uniaxial stretching direction OD1 of the piezoelectric film 3a1.

[0077] The third electrode 3b2 has an upper major surface and a lower major surface, and the upper major surface corresponds to the upper major surface of the first electrode 3a2, and the lower major surface corresponds to the lower major surface of the first electrode 3a2. In this embodiment, the upper major surface of the third electrode 3b2 is provided on the first lower major surface DS2.

[0078] As shown in Figures 20 and 21, in this embodiment, the second sensor 3b is not in contact with the housing 4a. More specifically, the outer edge of the second sensor 3b when viewed in the vertical direction is surrounded by the inner edge of the support portion 4a2 when viewed in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the second sensor 3b is provided in an area overlapping the second operation area A3 when viewed in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the second sensor 3b is not located in an area overlapping the non-operation area A2 when viewed in the vertical direction. Therefore, the second sensor 3b can deform in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. Furthermore, a space is provided below the second sensor 3b. Therefore, the second sensor 3b can also deform downward.

[0079] The sensor unit 1c and the electronic device 100c achieve the same effects as the sensor unit 1 and the electronic device 100, respectively. Furthermore, the sensor unit 1c and the electronic device 100c can prevent the first sensor 3a from detecting pressure on areas other than the first operation area A1, and prevent the second sensor 3b from detecting pressure on areas other than the second operation area A3. More specifically, the first upper principal surface US2 further includes a second operation area A3. The second sensor 3b is provided in an area overlapping the second operation area A3 when viewed from the top-bottom direction. The second operation area A3 is more easily deformed than the non-operation area A2. Therefore, when the second operation area A3 is pressed, the second operation area A3 and the second sensor 3b deform, allowing the second sensor 3b to detect deformation of the plate-like member 2. On the other hand, when the non-operation area A2 is pressed, the non-operation area A2 is less likely to deform, and therefore the second sensor 3b is less likely to deform, and the second sensor 3b is less likely to detect the pressure on the non-operation area A2.

[0080] On the other hand, the non-operation area A2 includes a first non-operation area PA2 located between the first operation area A1 and the second operation area A3. When the first operation area A1 is pressed, the first non-operation area PA2 is less likely to deform, which makes it difficult for the second sensor 3b to deform, and the second sensor 3b is less likely to detect a press on the first operation area A1. Similarly, when the second operation area A3 is pressed, the first non-operation area PA2 is less likely to deform, which makes it difficult for the first sensor 3a to deform, and the first sensor 3a is less likely to detect a press on the second operation area A3. As a result, the sensor unit 1c and the electronic device 100c can prevent the first sensor 3a from detecting a press on an area other than the first operation area A1, and prevent the second sensor 3b from detecting a press on an area other than the second operation area A3.

[0081] [Second Modification] A sensor unit 1d and an electronic device 100d according to a second modification of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device 100d. Note that with regard to the sensor unit 1d and the electronic device 100d, only the differences from the sensor unit 1c and the electronic device 100c will be described, and the rest will be omitted.

[0082] In this modification, sensor unit 1d does not include second sensor 3b. The length of first sensor 3a in sensor unit 1d in the front-to-rear direction is longer than the length of first sensor 3a in sensor unit 1c in the front-to-rear direction. As a result, in this modification, first sensor 3a is in contact with housing 4a. Furthermore, first sensor 3a is located below first non-operation area PA2 and below second operation area A3. That is, in this modification, first sensor 3a is provided in an area overlapping first operation area A1 in a vertical view, an area overlapping second operation area A3 in a vertical view, and an area overlapping first non-operation area PA2 in a vertical view.

[0083] In the area overlapping with the first operation area A1 in the vertical direction, a space is provided below a part of the first sensor 3a, so that the first sensor 3a can deform downward in the area overlapping with the first operation area A1 in the vertical direction.

[0084] Furthermore, in the area overlapping with the second operation area A3 in the vertical view, a space is provided below a part of the first sensor 3a, so that the first sensor 3a can deform downward in the area overlapping with the second operation area A3 in the vertical view.

[0085] Meanwhile, the second support portion 4a22 supports the lower main surface DS3a of the first sensor 3a in an area overlapping with the first non-operation area PA2 in a vertical view. As a result, even if the first sensor 3a attempts to deform downward in the area overlapping with the first non-operation area PA2 in a vertical view, the second support portion 4a22 inhibits the deformation. Therefore, the first sensor 3a is less likely to deform downward in the area overlapping with the first non-operation area PA2 in a vertical view.

[0086] The sensor unit 1d and the electronic device 100d achieve the same effects as the sensor unit 1c and the electronic device 100c, respectively, without being provided with a plurality of sensors.

[0087] [Fourth Embodiment] A sensor unit 1e and an electronic device 100e according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the electronic device 100e. FIG. 25 is a plan view of the electronic device 100e. FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view of the second sensor 3b according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 27 is a block diagram of the sensor unit 1e. FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing how the sensor unit 1e estimates the second pressing position PP2 and the magnitude F2 of the second pressing force using the second sensor 3b according to the fourth embodiment. Note that only the differences between the sensor unit 1e and the electronic device 100e and the sensor unit 1b and the electronic device 100b will be described, and the rest will be omitted.

[0088] The electronic device 100e differs from the electronic device 100b in that the housing 4a further includes an opening OP2. Note that the structure of the housing 4a in the electronic device 100e is the same as the structure of the housing 4a in the electronic device 100c, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 24 , the first upper principal surface US2 further includes a second operation area A3. The second operation area A3 is spaced apart from the first operation area A1. As a result, the non-operation area A2 includes a first non-operation area PA2 located between the first operation area A1 and the second operation area A3. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 25 , the second operation area A3 is located behind the first operation area A1. The second operation area A3 is also located in the center of the first upper principal surface US2 in the left-right direction. The user may use a finger or the like to perform a pressing operation not only on the first operation area A1 but also on the second operation area A3. The shape and arrangement of the second operation area A3 are not limited to those shown in this embodiment.

[0090] The sensor unit 1e further includes a second sensor 3b and charge amplifiers 3b4a to 3b4d, which are located within the opening OP2, for example.

[0091] 26, the second sensor 3b includes a piezoelectric film 3b1, third electrodes 3b2a to 3b2d, and a fourth electrode 3b3. Note that the structures of the second sensor 3b, piezoelectric film 3b1, third electrodes 3b2a to 3b2d, and fourth electrode 3b3 in sensor unit 1e are the same as the structures of the first sensor 3a, piezoelectric film 3a1, first electrodes 3a2a to 3a2d, and second electrode 3a3 in sensor unit 1b, respectively, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0092] The piezoelectric film 3b1 has an upper principal surface US3b1 and a lower principal surface DS3b1. The upper principal surface US3b1 corresponds to the second upper principal surface US3a1 of the piezoelectric film 3a1, and the lower principal surface DS3b1 corresponds to the second lower principal surface DS3a1 of the piezoelectric film 3a1. In the piezoelectric film 3b1, PLA is stretched in a uniaxial stretching direction OD2. The uniaxial stretching direction OD2 corresponds to the uniaxial stretching direction OD1 of the piezoelectric film 3a1.

[0093] In this embodiment, the second sensor 3b is not in contact with the housing 4a. More specifically, the outer edge of the second sensor 3b when viewed in the vertical direction is surrounded by the inner edge of the support portion 4a2 when viewed in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the second sensor 3b is provided in an area overlapping the second operation area A3 when viewed in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the second sensor 3b is not located in an area overlapping the non-operation area A2 when viewed in the vertical direction. Therefore, the second sensor 3b can deform in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. Furthermore, a space is provided below the second sensor 3b. Therefore, the second sensor 3b can also deform downward.

[0094] 27, charge amplifiers 3b4a to 3b4d convert the charges output by third electrodes 3b2a to 3b2d into voltage signals vba to vbd, respectively, and output them to arithmetic circuit 35. Note that charge amplifiers 3b4a to 3b4d are not essential components of the present invention.

[0095] The arithmetic circuit 35 reads from the memory 36 a program for processing to estimate the second pressing position PP2 where the first upper principal surface US2 is pressed and the magnitude F2 of the second pressing force applied to the first upper principal surface US2 based on the voltage signals vba to vbd. Note that the processing by the arithmetic circuit 35 to estimate the second pressing position PP2 and the magnitude F2 of the second pressing force based on the voltage signals vba to vbd is the same as the processing to estimate the first pressing position PP1 and the magnitude F1 of the first pressing force based on the voltage signals vaa to vad, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0096] The sensor unit 1e and the electronic device 100e have the same effects as the sensor units 1b and 1c and the electronic devices 100b and 100c, respectively. Furthermore, with the sensor unit 1e and the electronic device 100e, the user can perform keyboard operations by pressing the first operation area A1, and can perform mouse operations by pressing the second operation area A3.

[0097] [Third Modification] An electronic device 100f according to a third modification of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device 100f. Note that with regard to the electronic device 100f, only the differences from the electronic device 100c will be described, and the rest will be omitted.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 28, the electronic device 100f differs from the electronic device 100c in that the material of the second support portion 4a22 is different from the material of the first support portion 4a21 and the bottom portion 4a1.

[0099] In this modification, the first support portion 4a21 and the bottom portion 4a1 are made of a resin such as polycarbonate. The second support portion 4a22 is made of a metal such as aluminum or titanium. The elastic modulus of the second support portion 4a22 is greater than the elastic modulus of the first support portion 4a21 and the bottom portion 4a1. In other words, the second support portion 4a22 is harder and less likely to deform than the first support portion 4a21 and the bottom portion 4a1. As a result, the second support portion 4a22 is less likely to deform than the first support portion 4a21 and the bottom portion 4a1.

[0100] The electronic device 100f also achieves the same effect as the electronic device 100c. Furthermore, according to the electronic device 100f, the elastic modulus of the second support portion 4a22 is greater than the elastic modulus of the bottom portion 4a1, which further reduces the first sensor 3a from detecting pressure on an area other than the first operation area A1, and further reduces the second sensor 3b from detecting pressure on an area other than the second operation area A3.

[0101] The elastic modulus of the second support portion 4a22 does not have to be greater than that of the first support portion 4a21 or the bottom portion 4a1. Even in this case, the first sensor 3a can be more effectively prevented from detecting pressure applied to areas other than the first operation area A1, and the second sensor 3b can be more effectively prevented from detecting pressure applied to areas other than the second operation area A3. Therefore, the material of the first support portion 4a21 or the bottom portion 4a1 may be a metal such as aluminum or titanium, and the material of the second support portion 4a22 may be a resin such as polycarbonate. The material of the second support portion 4a22 is not limited to metal or resin. The first sensor 3a or the second sensor 3b may be disposed so as to contact the second support portion 4a22, as in the sensor unit 1d according to the second modification.

[0102] Fifth Embodiment A sensor unit 1g and an electronic device 100g according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device 100g. Note that only the differences between the sensor unit 1g and the electronic device 100 and those of the sensor unit 1 and the electronic device 100 will be described, and the rest will be omitted.

[0103] 29, the sensor unit 1g differs from the sensor unit 1 in that it further includes a display 7 and that the plate-like member 2 is transparent. The display 7 is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like.

[0104] The display 7 has a third upper principal surface US7 and a third lower principal surface DS7 arranged in this order along the downward direction. When viewed in the vertical direction, the display 7 has a rectangular shape with two long sides extending in the left-right direction and two short sides extending in the front-to-back direction. In this embodiment, the outer edge of the display 7 when viewed in the vertical direction coincides with the outer edge of the plate-like member 2 when viewed in the vertical direction. The display 7 is provided on the first lower principal surface DS2. In this embodiment, the display 7 covers the first lower principal surface DS2. Note that the display 7 does not have to have a rectangular shape when viewed in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the outer edge of the display 7 when viewed in the vertical direction does not have to coincide with the outer edge of the plate-like member 2 when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0105] In this embodiment, instead of the vicinity of the outer edge of the first lower principal surface DS2, the vicinity of the outer edge of the third lower principal surface DS7 is supported on the upper surface of the support portion 4a2 by an adhesive such as double-sided tape, a thermosetting adhesive, a thermoplastic adhesive, or a UV (Ultra Violet) curing adhesive. The first sensor 3a is provided on the third lower principal surface DS7. Note that the shape and arrangement of the display 7 are not limited to those shown in this embodiment.

[0106] The sensor unit 1g also has the same effect as the sensor unit 1.

[0107] [Fourth Modification] A sensor unit 1h and an electronic device 100h according to a fourth modification of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device 100h. Note that only the differences between the sensor unit 1h and the electronic device 100h and the sensor unit 1g and the electronic device 100g will be described, and the rest will be omitted.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 30, the sensor unit 1h differs from the sensor unit 1g in that the display 7 is provided on the lower main surface DS3a and the first sensor 3a is transparent.

[0109] In this modified example, the outer edge of the display 7 when viewed in the vertical direction coincides with the outer edge of the first sensor 3a when viewed in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the display 7 covers the lower main surface DS3a. A space is provided between the display 7 and the bottom 4a1. Note that the outer edge of the display 7 when viewed in the vertical direction does not have to coincide with the outer edge of the first sensor 3a when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0110] The sensor unit 1h also has the same effect as the sensor unit 1.

[0111] [Fifth Modification] An electronic device 100i according to a fifth modification of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 31 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device 100i. Note that, with regard to the electronic device 100i, only the parts that are different from the electronic device 100 will be described, and the rest will be omitted.

[0112] 31 , the electronic device 100i differs from the electronic device 100 in that it further includes a display 7 and that the plate-like member 2 and the first sensor 3a are transparent. Note that the structure of the display 7 is the same as that of the display 7 of the sensor unit 1g, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0113] The display 7 is located within the opening OP1. In this modification, the display 7 is provided on the upper surface of the bottom portion 4a1. A space is provided between the display 7 and the first sensor 3a.

[0114] The electronic device 100i also provides the same effects as the electronic device 100.

[0115] Sixth Embodiment An electronic device 100j according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 32 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device 100j. Fig. 33 is a cross-sectional view of the sixth embodiment when a user presses the first operation area A1 of the plate-shaped member 2. Only the differences between the electronic device 100 and the electronic device 100 will be described below, and the rest will be omitted.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 32, electronic device 100j differs from electronic device 100 in that it further includes a buffer material 8.

[0117] The buffer material 8 is provided on the upper surface of the bottom portion 4a1. More specifically, the buffer material 8 is provided between the first sensor 3a and the bottom portion 4a1 in an area that overlaps with the first operation area A1 when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0118] The cushioning material 8 is a foam-molded member, and is made of, for example, a material having shape-restoring properties. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 33 , when a user presses the first upper main surface US2, the plate-shaped member 2, the first sensor 3a, and the cushioning material 8 are temporarily compressed. However, when the user releases the pressure on the first upper main surface US2, a restoring force is generated that causes the cushioning material 8 to return to its pre-compression shape, making it easier for the plate-shaped member 2 and the first sensor 3a to return to their pre-pressure shapes. Note that the cushioning material 8 does not necessarily have to be a foam-molded member, and does not necessarily have to have shape-restoring properties.

[0119] The elastic modulus of the buffer material 8 is smaller than the elastic modulus of the plate-shaped member 2. That is, the buffer material 8 is softer and more easily deformed than the plate-shaped member 2. Therefore, when a user presses the first upper main surface US2, the buffer material 8 is less likely to inhibit the deformation of the plate-shaped member 2. Therefore, the buffer material 8 is less likely to inhibit the deformation of the first sensor 3a.

[0120] The electronic device 100j achieves the same effects as the electronic device 100. Furthermore, the electronic device 100j can more accurately estimate the first pressing position PP1 at which the first upper principal surface US2 is pressed. More specifically, the buffer material 8 is provided between the first sensor 3a and the bottom portion 4a1 in an area overlapping the first operation area A1 in a vertical view. This causes localized deformation near the first pressing position PP1 when the first upper principal surface US2 is pressed. This allows the first sensor 3a to detect deformation of the plate-shaped member 2 while suppressing deformation of the plate-shaped member 2 in areas other than the area near the first pressing position PP1. Therefore, the first sensor 3a can more locally detect deformation of the plate-shaped member 2. As a result, the electronic device 100j can more accurately estimate the first pressing position PP1 at which the first upper principal surface US2 is pressed.

[0121] In the present embodiment, the electronic device 100j includes the cushioning material 8, but the sensor unit 1 may include the cushioning material 8. In this case, by providing the cushioning material 8 on the lower main surface DS3a, the cushioning material 8 can be provided between the first sensor 3a and the bottom 4a1 in a region overlapping with the first operation region A1 when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0122] [Seventh embodiment] A tactile presentation device 10 and an electronic device 100k according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 34 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device 100k. Note that with regard to the electronic device 100k, only the parts that are different from the electronic device 100 will be described, and the rest will be omitted.

[0123] 34, in this embodiment, the sensor unit 1 and the actuator 9 constitute the tactile presentation device 10. That is, the tactile presentation device 10 includes the sensor unit 1 and the actuator 9.

[0124] The actuator 9 vibrates the plate-like member 2. More specifically, in this modification, the actuator 9 is provided on the lower main surface DS3a. That is, the actuator 9 is provided below the first lower main surface DS2. For example, when the first electrode 3a2 outputs a charge, the actuator 9 is operated to vibrate the plate-like member 2. Such an actuator 9 is, for example, an LRA (Linear Resonant Actuator) piezoelectric actuator or the like.

[0125] The tactile presentation device 10 also achieves the same effect as the sensor unit 1. Furthermore, the tactile presentation device 10 can provide the user with information such as whether or not the plate-like member 2 has been pressed, or whether or not the sensor unit 1 is operational.

[0126] Eighth Embodiment A sensor unit 1l and an electronic device 100l according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the electronic device 100l. FIG. 36 is a plan view of the film 11. FIG. 37 is a plan view of the film 12. FIG. 38 is a schematic plan view of the electronic device 100l when a conductive object M1 presses the electronic device 100l. FIG. 39 is a schematic plan view of the electronic device 100l when a conductive object M2 presses the electronic device 100l. FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing whether the sensor unit 1l outputs the estimated first pressing position PP1 and magnitude F1 of the first pressing force. Note that only the differences between the sensor unit 1l and the electronic device 100 and the sensor unit 1 and the electronic device 100 will be described, and the rest will be omitted.

[0127] Sensor unit 1l differs from sensor unit 1 in that it further includes charge amplifiers 3a4a-3a4d, an arithmetic circuit 35, a memory 36, and films 11 and 12. Furthermore, first sensor 3a includes first electrodes 3a2a-3a2d instead of first electrode 3a2. Regarding charge amplifiers 3a4a-3a4d, arithmetic circuit 35, memory 36, and first electrodes 3a2a-3a2d, only those parts that are different from the charge amplifiers 3a4a-3a4d, arithmetic circuit 35, memory 36, and first electrodes 3a2a-3a2d in sensor unit 1b will be described, and the rest will be omitted. Films 11 and 12 correspond to the touch position detection unit according to the present invention.

[0128] The film 11 has an upper main surface and a lower main surface arranged in this order along the downward direction. As shown in FIG. 36 , when viewed in the vertical direction, the film 11 has a rectangular shape with two long sides extending in the left-right direction and two short sides extending in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the outer edge of the film 11 when viewed in the vertical direction coincides with the outer edge of the plate-like member 2 when viewed in the vertical direction. The film 11 is provided on the first upper main surface US2. In this embodiment, the film 11 covers the first upper main surface US2. Note that the film 11 does not have to have a rectangular shape when viewed in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the outer edge of the film 11 when viewed in the vertical direction does not have to coincide with the outer edge of the plate-like member 2 when viewed in the vertical direction. The shape and arrangement of the film 11 are not limited to those shown in this embodiment.

[0129] First capacitance electrodes 11a to 11k are provided on the lower main surface of the film 11. Each of the first capacitance electrodes 11a to 11k is electrically conductive. The material of each of the first capacitance electrodes 11a to 11k is, for example, copper. The first capacitance electrodes 11a to 11k are arranged in this order at equal intervals along the right direction in a region overlapping with the first operation area A1 when viewed in the vertical direction. Note that the first capacitance electrodes 11a to 11k do not have to be arranged in this order at equal intervals along the right direction in a region overlapping with the first operation area A1 when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0130] The film 12 has an upper main surface and a lower main surface arranged in this order along the downward direction. As shown in FIG. 37 , when viewed in the vertical direction, the film 12 has a rectangular shape with two long sides extending in the left-right direction and two short sides extending in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the outer edge of the film 12 when viewed in the vertical direction coincides with the outer edge of the plate-like member 2 when viewed in the vertical direction. The film 12 is provided on the upper main surface of the film 11. In this embodiment, the film 12 covers the upper main surface of the film 11. Note that the film 12 does not have to have a rectangular shape when viewed in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the outer edge of the film 12 when viewed in the vertical direction does not have to coincide with the outer edge of the plate-like member 2 when viewed in the vertical direction. The shape and arrangement of the film 12 are not limited to those shown in this embodiment.

[0131] Second capacitance electrodes 12a to 12d are provided on the lower main surface of the film 12. Each of the second capacitance electrodes 12a to 12d is conductive. The material of each of the second capacitance electrodes 12a to 12d is, for example, copper. The second capacitance electrodes 12a to 12d are arranged in this order at equal intervals along the downward direction in a region that overlaps with the first operation area A1 when viewed in the vertical direction. Note that the second capacitance electrodes 12a to 12d do not have to be arranged in this order at equal intervals along the downward direction in a region that overlaps with the first operation area A1 when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0132] When viewed from the top to bottom, the first capacitance electrode 11a has an area that overlaps with one of the second capacitance electrodes 12a to 12d. This causes the first capacitance electrode 11a and each of the second capacitance electrodes 12a to 12d to be capacitively coupled. Therefore, pairs of the first capacitance electrode 11a and each of the second capacitance electrodes 12a to 12d have capacitance.

[0133] Similarly, each of the first capacitance electrodes 11b to 11k has an area that overlaps with one of the second capacitance electrodes 12a to 12d. This allows each of the first capacitance electrodes 11b to 11k and each of the second capacitance electrodes 12a to 12d to be capacitively coupled. Therefore, each pair of the first capacitance electrode 11b to 11k and each of the second capacitance electrodes 12a to 12d has capacitance.

[0134] When a conductive object such as a pen or a user's finger approaches the first capacitance electrodes 11a-11k or the second capacitance electrodes 12a-12d, the capacitance of at least one pair of the first capacitance electrodes 11a-11k and the second capacitance electrodes 12a-12d changes. For example, suppose the user's finger approaches the area where the first capacitance electrode 11a and the second capacitance electrode 12a overlap in a vertical view. At this time, capacitive coupling occurs between the user's finger and the second capacitance electrode 12a, changing the capacitance of the pair of the first capacitance electrode 11a and the second capacitance electrode 12a. Therefore, the position of the pair of the first capacitance electrode and the second capacitance electrode where the capacitance has changed can be determined as the touch position of a touch operation on the first upper main surface US2. Therefore, the films 11 and 12 function as a touch position detector that detects the touch position of a touch operation on the first upper main surface US2. In this specification, a touch operation on the first upper main surface US2 is not limited to a case where an object such as a pen or a user's finger comes into contact with the first upper main surface US2, but also includes a case where an object such as a pen or a user's finger approaches the first upper main surface US2, as in this embodiment. Furthermore, the method for detecting the touch position of a touch operation on the first upper main surface US2 is not limited to the method shown in this embodiment.

[0135] Furthermore, when the capacitances of a pair of adjacent first and second capacitance electrodes change simultaneously, it can be considered that a touch operation has been performed by a larger object than when the capacitance of a pair of one first and second capacitance electrodes has changed. Therefore, based on the pair of first and second capacitance electrodes whose capacitances have changed, it is possible to calculate the area of ​​the object that has approached the first upper main surface US2 and corresponds to the touch operation.

[0136] 38 , when a conductive object M1 approaches the first upper principal surface US2 so as to cover the pair of the first capacitance electrode 11c and the second capacitance electrode 12b, only the capacitance of the pair of the first capacitance electrode 11c and the second capacitance electrode 12b changes. In this case, the area of ​​the region where the first capacitance electrode 11c and the second capacitance electrode 12b overlap when viewed from the top-bottom direction can be defined as the area of ​​the conductive object M1 approaching the first upper principal surface US2. The conductive object M1 is, for example, a pen or a user's finger.

[0137] 39, a conductive object M2 is disposed so as to cover the pair of the first capacitance electrode 11g and the second capacitance electrode 12b, the pair of the first capacitance electrode 11g and the second capacitance electrode 12c, the pair of the first capacitance electrode 11h and the second capacitance electrode 12b, the pair of the first capacitance electrode 11h and the second capacitance electrode 12c, the pair of the first capacitance electrode 11i and the second capacitance electrode 12b, the pair of the first capacitance electrode 11i and the second capacitance electrode 12c, the pair of the first capacitance electrode 11j and the second capacitance electrode 12b, and the pair of the first capacitance electrode 11j and the second capacitance electrode 12c. approaches the first upper main surface US2, the capacitances of the pair of the first capacitance electrode 11g and the second capacitance electrode 12b, the pair of the first capacitance electrode 11g and the second capacitance electrode 12c, the pair of the first capacitance electrode 11h and the second capacitance electrode 12b, the pair of the first capacitance electrode 11h and the second capacitance electrode 12c, the pair of the first capacitance electrode 11i and the second capacitance electrode 12b, the pair of the first capacitance electrode 11i and the second capacitance electrode 12c, the pair of the first capacitance electrode 11j and the second capacitance electrode 12b, and the pair of the first capacitance electrode 11j and the second capacitance electrode 12c change. In this case, the product of the distance between the front edge of the second capacitance electrode 12b and the rear edge of the second capacitance electrode 12c and the distance between the left edge of the first capacitance electrode 11g and the right edge of the first capacitance electrode 11j can be used as the area of ​​the conductive object M2 approaching the first upper principal surface US2. The conductive object M1 is, for example, the user's palm. Note that the method for calculating the area of ​​the object approaching the first upper principal surface US2 is not limited to the method described in this embodiment.

[0138] The films 11 and 12 output the capacitance of the pair of each of the first capacitance electrodes 11a to 11k and each of the second capacitance electrodes 12a to 12d to the arithmetic circuit 35. The pair of the first capacitance electrode and the second capacitance electrode where the capacitance has changed is the touch position. The arithmetic circuit 35 reads from the memory 36 a program for processing to output the first pressing position PP1 and the magnitude F1 of the first pressing force based on the voltage signals vaa to vad and the capacitance of the pair of each of the first capacitance electrodes 11a to 11k and each of the second capacitance electrodes 12a to 12d. As a result, the arithmetic circuit 35 performs processing to output the first pressing position PP1 and the magnitude F1 of the first pressing force based on the voltage signals vaa to vad and the capacitance of the pair of each of the first capacitance electrodes 11a to 11k and each of the second capacitance electrodes 12a to 12d.

[0139] The threshold value S is input in advance to the memory 36. The memory 36 stores the threshold value S in addition to the above program.

[0140] The following describes in detail the process performed by the arithmetic circuit 35 to output the first pressing position PP1 and the magnitude F1 of the first pressing force. This process begins when the arithmetic circuit 35 acquires the voltage signals vaa to vad (FIG. 40: step S1). Note that steps S1 to S3 in this process are the same as steps S1 to S3 in the process performed by the arithmetic circuit 35 according to the second embodiment to estimate the first pressing position PP1 and the magnitude F1 of the first pressing force, and therefore will not be described here.

[0141] After estimating the first pressure position PP1 and the magnitude F1 of the first pressure force, the calculation circuit 35 detects the pair of the first capacitance electrode and the second capacitance electrode whose capacitance has changed (Figure 40: step S4).

[0142] Next, the calculation circuit 35 calculates the number of touch operations and the area of ​​the object corresponding to the touch operations based on the pair (touch position) of the first capacitance electrode and the second capacitance electrode whose capacitance has changed (Figure 40: step S5).

[0143] Next, the arithmetic circuit 35 determines whether there are multiple objects whose areas have been calculated ( FIG. 40 : step S6). If there are multiple touch operations, the arithmetic circuit 35 determines whether the area of ​​the object corresponding to each of the multiple touch operations is equal to or smaller than a threshold value S ( FIG. 40 : step S7). If the area of ​​the object corresponding to the touch operation is equal to or smaller than the threshold value S, the arithmetic circuit 35 outputs a first pressing position PP1 or a magnitude F1 of the first pressing force corresponding to the touch operation ( FIG. 40 : step S8). The threshold value S is, for example, the area of ​​the region where one first capacitance electrode and one second capacitance electrode overlap when viewed in the vertical direction. Even if there is only one touch operation, the arithmetic circuit 35 outputs the estimated first pressing position PP1 and magnitude F1 of the first pressing force ( FIG. 40 : step S8).

[0144] On the other hand, if the area of ​​the object corresponding to the touch operation is larger than the threshold value S, the calculation circuit 35 does not output the first pressure position PP1 and the magnitude F1 of the first pressure force corresponding to the touch operation (FIG. 40: step S9).

[0145] In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the area of ​​the object corresponding to the touch operation is calculated after estimating the first pressure position PP1 and the magnitude of the first pressure force F1, but the area of ​​the object corresponding to the touch operation may be calculated at the same time as estimating the first pressure position PP1 and the magnitude of the first pressure force F1, or the area of ​​the object corresponding to the touch operation may be calculated before estimating the first pressure position PP1 and the magnitude of the first pressure force F1.

[0146] The sensor unit 1l achieves the same effect as the sensor unit 1. Furthermore, with the sensor unit 1l, even if a user presses the first operation area A1 with a pen, finger, or the like and the palm of the user accidentally touches the first operation area A1, the effect of the palm pressing the first operation area A1 can be suppressed. More specifically, if the arithmetic circuit 35 calculates the area of ​​multiple touch operations, it is possible that at least one of the multiple touch operations is the result of a user error. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 35 calculates the number of touch operations. If the calculated number of touch operations is multiple, the arithmetic circuit 35 determines, for each of the multiple touch operations, whether the area of ​​the object corresponding to the touch operation is equal to or smaller than a threshold value S. The threshold value S is, for example, a value larger than the area of ​​the pen or the user's finger when the pen or the user's finger touches the first upper main surface US2 and smaller than the area of ​​the palm when the palm touches the first upper main surface US2. This allows the arithmetic circuit 35 to distinguish between pressure from a pen or a user's finger and pressure from a palm.

[0147] When the area of ​​the object corresponding to the touch operation is equal to or smaller than the threshold value S, the arithmetic circuit 35 outputs the first pressing position PP1 or the magnitude of the first pressing force F1 corresponding to the touch operation. On the other hand, when the area of ​​the object corresponding to the touch operation is larger than the threshold value S, the arithmetic circuit 35 does not output the first pressing position PP1 or the magnitude of the first pressing force F1 corresponding to the touch operation. This makes it possible to suppress the influence of the palm of the hand pressing the first operation area A1 when the user performs a pressing operation on the first operation area A1 using a pen, a finger, or the like.

[0148] The sensor unit according to the present invention is not limited to sensor units 1, 1a to 1e, 1g, 1h, and 1l, and can be modified within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the structures of sensor units 1, 1a to 1e, 1g, 1h, and 1l may be combined in any manner.

[0149] The tactile presentation device according to the present invention is not limited to the tactile presentation device 10, and can be modified within the scope of the gist thereof.

[0150] The electronic device according to the present invention is not limited to the electronic devices 100, 100a to 100l, and can be modified within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the structures of the electronic devices 100, 100a to 100l may be combined in any manner.

[0151] The present invention has the following configuration.

[0152] (1) A sensor unit comprising: a plate-shaped member having a first upper main surface and a first lower main surface; and a first sensor fixed to the first lower main surface and detecting deformation of the plate-shaped member, wherein the first upper main surface has a first operation area and a non-operation area, at least a portion of the first sensor is provided in an area that overlaps with the first operation area when viewed in the vertical direction, and the non-operation area is less susceptible to deformation than the first operation area.

[0153] (2) The sensor unit described in (1), wherein the first sensor includes a piezoelectric film having a second upper principal surface and a second lower principal surface, and the piezoelectric film generates a potential difference between the second upper principal surface and the second lower principal surface due to deformation.

[0154] (3) The sensor unit according to (2), further comprising an arithmetic circuit, wherein the first sensor further includes a plurality of signal electrodes provided on the second upper main surface or the second lower main surface, each of the plurality of signal electrodes outputs the potential difference as an electrical signal to the arithmetic circuit, and the arithmetic circuit estimates the pressing position at which the first upper main surface is pressed or the magnitude of the pressing force applied to the first upper main surface based on the electrical signal.

[0155] (4) The sensor unit according to (3), further comprising a touch position detection unit that detects a touch position of a touch operation on the first upper main surface, wherein the touch position detection unit outputs the touch position to the arithmetic circuit, and the arithmetic circuit calculates the number of touch operations and an area of ​​an object corresponding to the touch operations based on the touch positions, and when the calculated number of touch operations is multiple, determines whether the area for each of the multiple touch operations is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and when the area is equal to or less than the threshold, outputs the pressure position or the magnitude of the pressure corresponding to the touch operation, and when the area is greater than the threshold, does not output the pressure position or the magnitude of the pressure corresponding to the touch operation.

[0156] (5) The sensor unit according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the first sensor is provided in an area that overlaps with the first operation area when viewed in the vertical direction and an area that overlaps with the non-operation area when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0157] (6) The sensor unit described in any one of (1) to (4), wherein the first upper main surface further has a second operation area, the second operation area being more easily deformed than the non-operation area, the non-operation area including a first non-operation area located between the first operation area and the second operation area, and the first sensor is provided in an area overlapping the first operation area when viewed in the vertical direction, an area overlapping the second operation area when viewed in the vertical direction, and an area overlapping the first non-operation area when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0158] (7) A sensor unit described in any of (1) to (4), further comprising a second sensor fixed to the first lower main surface and detecting deformation of the plate-like member, wherein the first upper main surface further has a second operation area, wherein the second operation area is more easily deformed than the non-operation area, wherein the non-operation area includes a first non-operation area located between the first operation area and the second operation area, and wherein the second sensor is provided in an area overlapping with the second operation area when viewed in the up-down direction.

[0159] (8) The sensor unit according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the plate-like member is a display.

[0160] (9) A sensor unit described in any one of (1) to (7), further comprising a display having a third upper main surface and a third lower main surface, the plate-like member being a transparent surface panel, the display being provided on the first lower main surface, and the first sensor being provided on the third lower main surface.

[0161] (10) A sensor unit according to any one of (1) to (7), further comprising a display, wherein the plate-like member is a transparent surface panel, the first sensor is transparent and has a fourth upper main surface and a fourth lower main surface, the first sensor is provided on the first lower main surface, and the display is provided on the fourth lower main surface.

[0162] (11) A tactile presentation device comprising: the sensor unit according to any one of (1) to (10); and an actuator that vibrates the plate-like member, wherein the actuator is provided below the first lower main surface.

[0163] (12) An electronic device comprising: the sensor unit according to any one of (1) to (10); and a housing, wherein the housing supports the first lower main surface in a region that overlaps with the non-operation region when viewed in the up-down direction.

[0164] (13) The electronic device according to (12), wherein the housing has an opening in a region overlapping the first operation region when viewed in the vertical direction, and the first sensor is located within the opening when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0165] (14) The electronic device according to (12) or (13), wherein a space is provided below the first sensor in a region that overlaps with the first operation region when viewed in the up-down direction.

[0166] (15) The electronic device described in any one of (12) to (14), further comprising a cushioning material, wherein the housing includes a bottom portion located below the first sensor, and the cushioning material is provided between the first sensor and the bottom portion in an area that overlaps with the first operation area when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0167] (16) An electronic device including: the sensor unit according to (5); and a housing, wherein the housing supports the first sensor in a region that overlaps with the non-operation region when viewed in the up-down direction.

[0168] (17) An electronic device comprising: the sensor unit according to (6); and a housing, wherein the housing includes a support portion, and the support portion supports the first sensor in a region that overlaps with the first non-operation region when viewed in the up-down direction.

[0169] (18) An electronic device comprising: the sensor unit according to (7); and a housing, wherein the housing includes a support portion, and the support portion supports the first lower main surface in a region that overlaps with the first non-operation region when viewed in the up-down direction.

[0170] (19) The electronic device according to (17) or (18), wherein the housing further includes a bottom portion located below the first sensor, and the support portion has a greater elastic modulus than the bottom portion.

[0171] (20) An electronic device comprising: a sensor unit according to any one of (1) to (7); a housing; and a display; wherein the housing includes a support portion and a bottom portion located below the first sensor; the support portion supports the first lower main surface or the first sensor in an area that overlaps with the non-operation area when viewed in the vertical direction; the plate-like member is a transparent surface panel; the first sensor is transparent; and the display is provided on the bottom portion.

[0172] 1, 1a to 1e, 1g, 1h, 1l: sensor unit 2: plate-like member 3a: first sensor 3b: second sensor 3a1, 3b1: piezoelectric film 3a2, 3a2a to 3a2d: first electrode 3a3: second electrode 3b3: fourth electrode 4a, 4b: housing 4a1: bottom 4a2: support portion 4a21: first support portion 4a22: second support portion 5, 7: display 6a, 6b: connecting portion 8: cushioning material 9: actuator 10: tactile presentation device 11, 12: film 11a to 11k: first capacitance electrode 12a to 12d: second capacitance electrode 35: arithmetic circuit 36: memory 100, 100a to 100l: electronic device A1: first operation area A3: second operation area A2: non-operation area D, xa, xa1, xb, xb1, xc, xc1, xd, xd1: distance DS2: first lower principal surface DS3a: lower principal surface DS3a1: second lower principal surface DS3b1: lower principal surface DS7: third lower principal surface M1, M2: conductive object O: center OD1: uniaxial extension direction OD2: uniaxial extension direction OP1, OP2: opening PA2: first non-operation area PP1: first pressing position PP2: second pressing position S: threshold US2: first upper principal surface US3a: upper principal surface US3a1: second upper principal surface US3b1: upper principal surface US7: third upper principal surface Vaa1, Vab1: voltage value vaa, vab, vba: voltage signal

Claims

1. A sensor unit comprising: a plate-shaped member having a first upper main surface and a first lower main surface; and a first sensor fixed to the first lower main surface and detecting deformation of the plate-shaped member, wherein the first upper main surface has a first operation area and a non-operation area, at least a portion of the first sensor is provided in an area that overlaps with the first operation area when viewed in the vertical direction, and the non-operation area is less susceptible to deformation than the first operation area.

2. The sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the first sensor includes a piezoelectric film having a second upper principal surface and a second lower principal surface, and the piezoelectric film generates a potential difference between the second upper principal surface and the second lower principal surface when deformed.

3. The sensor unit according to claim 2, further comprising an arithmetic circuit, wherein the first sensor further includes a plurality of signal electrodes provided on the second upper main surface or the second lower main surface, each of the plurality of signal electrodes outputs the potential difference as an electrical signal to the arithmetic circuit, and the arithmetic circuit estimates the pressing position at which the first upper main surface is pressed or the magnitude of the pressing force applied to the first upper main surface based on the electrical signal.

4. The sensor unit according to claim 3, further comprising a touch position detection unit that detects a touch position of a touch operation on the first upper main surface, wherein the touch position detection unit outputs the touch position to the arithmetic circuit, wherein the arithmetic circuit: calculates the number of touch operations and the area of ​​the object corresponding to the touch operations based on the touch positions; if the calculated number of touch operations is multiple, determines for each of the multiple touch operations whether the area is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold; if the area is equal to or less than the threshold, outputs the pressure position or the magnitude of the pressure corresponding to the touch operation; and if the area is greater than the threshold, does not output the pressure position or the magnitude of the pressure corresponding to the touch operation.

5. A sensor unit as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first sensor is provided in an area that overlaps with the first operation area when viewed in the vertical direction, and in an area that overlaps with the non-operation area when viewed in the vertical direction.

6. A sensor unit as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first upper main surface further has a second operation area, the second operation area being more easily deformed than the non-operation area, the non-operation area including a first non-operation area located between the first operation area and the second operation area, and the first sensor is provided in an area overlapping the first operation area when viewed in the vertical direction, an area overlapping the second operation area when viewed in the vertical direction, and an area overlapping the first non-operation area when viewed in the vertical direction.

7. A sensor unit as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a second sensor fixed to the first lower main surface and detecting deformation of the plate-like member, the first upper main surface further having a second operation area, the second operation area being more susceptible to deformation than the non-operation area, the non-operation area including a first non-operation area located between the first operation area and the second operation area, and the second sensor being provided in an area overlapping with the second operation area when viewed in the vertical direction.

8. The sensor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the plate-like member is a display.

9. A sensor unit as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a display having a third upper main surface and a third lower main surface, the plate-like member being a transparent surface panel, the display being provided on the first lower main surface, and the first sensor being provided on the third lower main surface.

10. A sensor unit as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a display, wherein the plate-like member is a transparent surface panel, the first sensor is transparent and has a fourth upper main surface and a fourth lower main surface, the first sensor is provided on the first lower main surface, and the display is provided on the fourth lower main surface.

11. A tactile presentation device comprising: a sensor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10; and an actuator that vibrates the plate-like member, wherein the actuator is provided below the first lower main surface.

12. An electronic device comprising: a sensor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10; and a housing, wherein the housing supports the first lower main surface in an area that overlaps with the non-operation area when viewed in the vertical direction.

13. The electronic device described in claim 12, wherein the housing has an opening in an area that overlaps with the first operation area when viewed in the vertical direction, and the first sensor is located within the opening when viewed in the vertical direction.

14. The electronic device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein a space is provided below the first sensor in a region that overlaps with the first operation region when viewed in the vertical direction.

15. An electronic device as described in any one of claims 12 to 14, further comprising a cushioning material, the housing including a bottom portion located below the first sensor, and the cushioning material being provided between the first sensor and the bottom portion in an area that overlaps with the first operation area when viewed in the vertical direction.

16. An electronic device comprising: the sensor unit according to claim 5; and a housing, wherein the housing supports the first sensor in an area that overlaps with the non-operation area when viewed in the vertical direction.

17. An electronic device comprising: a sensor unit according to claim 6; and a housing, wherein the housing includes a support portion, and the support portion supports the first sensor in an area that overlaps with the first non-operation area when viewed in the vertical direction.

18. An electronic device comprising: a sensor unit according to claim 7; and a housing, wherein the housing includes a support portion, and the support portion supports the first lower main surface in an area that overlaps with the first non-operation area when viewed in the vertical direction.

19. The electronic device according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the housing further includes a bottom portion located below the first sensor, and the modulus of elasticity of the support portion is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the bottom portion.

20. An electronic device comprising: a sensor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7; a housing; and a display; wherein the housing includes a support portion and a bottom portion located below the first sensor; the support portion supports the first lower main surface or the first sensor in an area that overlaps with the non-operation area when viewed in the vertical direction; the plate-like member is a transparent surface panel; the first sensor is transparent; and the display is provided on the bottom portion.

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