JP2011058889A - Capacitance type pointing device - Google Patents

Abstract

A malfunction is prevented.
A lower electrode substrate (first substrate) 30 and an upper electrode substrate (second substrate) 40 are arranged to face each other via a spacer 51, and the lower electrode substrate 30 and the upper electrode substrate 40 are opposed to each other. A plurality of electrodes are formed on one of the surfaces, an electrode for forming a capacitance is formed on the other side to face the electrodes, and the capacitance is changed by the displacement of the upper electrode substrate 40 by pressing. In the capacitive pointing device, a gap is provided between the pusher 55d that presses the upper electrode substrate 40 and the upper electrode substrate 40, and the lower electrode substrate 30, the upper electrode substrate 40, and the spacer 51 where the electrodes are located The enclosed space is not sealed. When one of the electrodes is pressed, the problem that the distance between the electrodes opposite to the pressed position is not increased, and a malfunction due to the increased distance between the electrodes can be prevented.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a capacitance detection type pointing device.

  FIG. 18 shows an example of the overall configuration of a general electrostatic capacity detection method. The electrostatic capacity C formed between the upper electrode 11 and the lower electrode 12 is replaced with the electrostatic capacity detection circuit of the control unit 13. 14 to detect. The detected capacitance is converted into an appropriate digital value by the data processing unit 15 and is passed to the host computer 16. Although detailed illustration is omitted in FIG. 18, the lower electrode 12 has a plurality of electrodes, and the control unit 13 scans all the electrodes by sequentially switching the electrodes detected by the analog switch 17. .

  The capacitance detection circuit 14 is not particularly limited, and various techniques such as an oscillation circuit, delay measurement using a logic operation circuit, a charge amplifier, a switched capacitor circuit, and the like can be applied. The data processing unit 15 may be configured with a digital circuit or a CPU such as a microcomputer. The data passed from the data processing unit 15 to the host computer 16 may be a value obtained by digitally converting the capacitance (raw data), or data converted into a form suitable for an application on the host computer 16 side.

  FIG. 19 shows the details of the main parts of the sensor unit (lower electrode 12) and the control unit 13. Here, a case where four electrodes are arranged in a ring shape as the lower electrode 12 is shown. The four electrodes are respectively connected to one terminal of the analog switch 17, and the other terminal of the analog switch 17 is integrally connected to the capacitance detection circuit 14. One of the switches is turned on by a control signal (not shown), and the capacitance between the lower electrode 12 and the upper electrode 11 in which the switch is turned on is detected by the capacitance detection circuit 14.

  Next, an actual capacitance detection method will be described.

  The capacitance value between the upper and lower electrodes is stored as the reference value (baseline) as the output value when the distance between the upper and lower electrodes is in a steady state (the upper electrode is not pressed). Is compared with the reference value to determine how much the upper electrode is pressed.

  However, it is known that the steady-state output value fluctuates due to changes in temperature, humidity, changes in dielectric constant due to aging of parts, and the like. For this reason, if the reference value is fixed, as shown in FIG. 20A, the fluctuation in the output value due to the environmental change is erroneously determined as the fluctuation due to the change in the interelectrode distance.

  Therefore, in general, processing for updating (calibrating) the reference value is performed as shown in FIG. 20B in order to prevent erroneous determination due to environmental changes. However, the update of the reference value accompanying the environmental change is usually performed for a gradual change of the output value in order to distinguish it from the pressing of the upper electrode (change of the normal output value). The reference value is updated with a slight time delay so as not to follow the change.

  Here, as a case assumed in a general electronic device, a case is considered in which the pressure is released after the power is turned on while the upper electrode 11 is pressed for some reason as shown in FIG. As a result, the output value and the reference value are as shown in FIG. 22A. Since the reference value (baseline) is set for the output value at that time each time the power is turned on, the reference value (baseline) is set as shown in FIG. And, when the pressure is released, the output value decreases rapidly, so for the decrease in the output value, the reference value is updated with a slight time delay as in the case of the update of the reference value accompanying the environmental change. As shown in FIG. 22A, a time during which the output value is below the reference value, that is, a “press detection impossible time” occurs. Therefore, the processing as shown in FIG. 22B in which the reference value is immediately updated is performed for such a sudden decrease in the output value.

On the other hand, FIG. 23 shows a configuration described in Patent Document 1 as a conventional example of an electrostatic capacitance type pointing device. A circuit pattern DU and electrodes Dx ⁺ , Dx ⁻ , Dy ⁺ , Dy are provided on a substrate 21. ⁻ , Dz are formed, and a metal plate (electrode plate) 22 having conductivity is disposed on the substrate 21 through the electrodes Dx ⁺ , Dx ⁻ , Dy ⁺ , Dy ⁻ , Dz and a gap. The upper surface of the metal plate 22 is covered with a decorative film 23, and operation buttons 24 are attached to the upper surface of the decorative film 23. In the figure, reference numeral 25 denotes a double-sided tape that functions as a spacer.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 23B, pressing the operation button 24 causes the metal plate 22 to be elastically deformed, whereby the capacitance between the electrode on the substrate 21 and the metal plate 22 changes. Yes.

JP 2000-193538 A

  By the way, in the capacitive pointing device having the above-described configuration, when the operation button 24 is pressed as shown in FIG. 23B, the distance between the electrodes at the pressed position is smaller than the steady state, but the pressed position. The phenomenon occurs that the distance between the electrodes on the opposite side becomes larger than the steady state.

  There are the following two causes for such a phenomenon.

  The first cause is that the gap between the electrodes is hermetically sealed, and when one electrode side is pressed, the air between the electrodes moves, and the distance between the electrodes opposite to the pressed position is widened.

  -The second cause is that the operation button 24 and the metal plate (electrode plate) 22 are fixed. Therefore, when the end of the operation button 24 is pressed, the operation opposite to the position pressed by the rigidity of the operation button 24 is performed. The end of the button 24 is raised.

  FIG. 24 shows the output value and the reference value on the pressing side and the pressing reverse side in this case, and the output value decreases because the distance between the electrodes increases when the pressing position and the output value on the opposite side are pressed. . As described above, the reference value is updated immediately in response to a sudden drop in the output value. After that, when the pressing is released, the distance between the electrodes returns to the steady state, so that the output value returns to the original state. However, since the change in the output value when returning to the original value increases rapidly, the reference value is not updated. Therefore, it is erroneously determined that the opposite side to the pressed position is pressed as shown in FIG.

  As described above, the conventional capacitive pointing device having the configuration shown in FIG. 23 is erroneously determined when the reference value update processing necessary for actual use is performed. There was a problem.

  In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrostatic capacitance type pointing device that is not erroneously determined even when the reference value updating process as described above is performed, that is, that does not cause a malfunction and has excellent reliability. It is in.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first substrate and the second substrate are disposed to face each other via the spacer, and the plurality of electrodes are provided on one of the opposing surfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate. An electrostatic capacitance type in which an electrode for forming a capacitance is formed on the other side to face the plurality of electrodes, and the capacitance is changed by displacement of the second substrate by pressing. In the pointing device, a gap is provided between the first pusher that presses the second substrate and the second substrate, and is surrounded by the first substrate, the second substrate, and the spacer on which the electrodes are positioned. It is assumed that the space is not sealed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, an air hole that communicates the space and the outside is formed in the first substrate or the second substrate.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the spacer includes a plurality of openings through which the plurality of electrodes respectively face, and a slit is formed in the spacer to communicate the openings and the outside.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the plurality of electrodes are four electrodes arranged in the positive and negative directions of two orthogonal axes on the electrode formation surface.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, a second pusher is formed on the second substrate corresponding to the positions of the plurality of electrodes.

  According to the invention of claim 6, in the invention of any one of claims 1 to 5, the second pusher is pushed outside the first pusher before the second substrate is pushed by the first pusher. Protrusions that contact the substrate and are deformed by the pressing are provided.

  According to the present invention, a gap is provided between the substrate that is displaced by pressing and the presser that presses the substrate, that is, the presser and the substrate are not fixed to each other. In this case, there is no problem that the distance between the electrodes opposite to the pressed position increases.

  Furthermore, since the space where the electrodes forming the capacitance are located is not sealed, there is no problem that the distance between the electrodes opposite to the pressed position is widened by air movement during pressing as in the conventional case.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a malfunction due to an increase in the distance between the electrodes on the non-pressed side, and it is possible to obtain a capacitive pointing device having excellent reliability.

The top view which shows the structure of Example 1 of the electrostatic capacitance type pointing device by this invention. The AA line expanded sectional view of FIG. The exploded perspective view of FIG. The top view which abbreviate | omitted a part of lower electrode board | substrate in FIG. A is a bottom view of the upper electrode substrate in FIG. 3, and B is a plan view thereof. The perspective view seen from the bottom of the rubber sheet in FIG. The figure for demonstrating the laminated structure of the lower electrode board | substrate in FIG. 2, and an upper electrode board | substrate. Sectional drawing which shows the operation state of the electrostatic capacitance type pointing device shown in FIG. The figure for demonstrating a state when pressing a key top. The top view which shows the other structural example of the pusher formed in an upper electrode board | substrate. The disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of Example 2 of the electrostatic capacitance type pointing device by this invention. The perspective view seen from the bottom of the rubber sheet in FIG. Sectional drawing of the assembly state of the electrostatic capacitance type pointing device shown in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of Example 3 of the electrostatic capacitance type pointing device by this invention. The figure for demonstrating the structure of Example 4 of the electrostatic capacitance type pointing device by this invention. The figure for demonstrating the laminated structure of the lower electrode board | substrate in FIG. 15, and an upper electrode board | substrate. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of Example 5 of the electrostatic capacitance type pointing device in this invention. The figure which shows the example of whole structure of the electrostatic capacitance detection method. The figure which shows the detail of the lower electrode and control part in FIG. A graph showing the relationship between fluctuations in output values due to environmental changes and reference values, A is when the reference value is fixed, and B is when the reference value is updated. The figure for demonstrating the case where the timing of the press of an upper electrode, press release, and a power ON is assumed. 21 is a graph showing the relationship between the output value and the reference value in the case of FIG. 21, A is when the reference value is updated with a time delay, and B is when the reference value is updated immediately. A is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional configuration example of a capacitive pointing device, and B is a cross-sectional view showing an operation state thereof. The figure for demonstrating the misjudgment which arises when the update process of a reference value is performed in the electrostatic capacitance type pointing device shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an appearance of a capacitive pointing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a sectional structure thereof. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of each part. First, the configuration of each part will be described with reference to FIG.

  The lower electrode substrate (first substrate) 30 is formed of an FPC (flexible printed wiring board) in this example, and extends from a sensor portion 30a having a substantially circular shape and a position where the outer periphery of the sensor portion 30a faces each other. A pair of arm portions 30b, a connecting portion 30c for connecting the distal ends of the pair of arm portions 30b, and a cable portion 30d further extended from the connecting portion 30c.

  FIG. 4 shows details of the lower electrode substrate 30, and four sensor-shaped electrodes 31 are formed at intervals of 90 degrees on the sensor unit 30 a, and a GND pattern 32 is formed around these electrodes 31. Has been. The lead pattern 33 drawn from each electrode 31 and the GND pattern 32 reaches the connecting portion 30c through the pair of arm portions 30b, and is connected to the control circuit 34 mounted on the connecting portion 30c. In addition, illustration of the drawing pattern 33 in the connection part 30c and drawing of the drawing pattern led out from the control circuit 34 to the cable part 30d side are omitted.

  An air hole 35 is formed through the central portion surrounded by the four electrodes 31 in the sensor unit 30a. A projecting portion 30e having a rectangular shape is provided on the side of the sensor portion 30a where one arm portion 30b is extended, and the GND connecting portion 36 extended from the GND pattern 32 is provided on the projecting portion 30e. Is formed.

  The upper electrode substrate (second substrate) 40 includes a sensor portion 40a and a protruding portion 40b having shapes corresponding to the sensor portion 30a and the protruding portion 30e of the lower electrode substrate 30, respectively.

  5A and 5B show details of the lower surface (the side facing the lower electrode substrate 30) and the upper surface of the upper electrode substrate 40. The lower surface shows four details of the lower electrode substrate 30 as shown in FIG. 5A. An electrode 41 for forming a capacitance is formed facing the electrode 31, and a GND connection portion 42 is formed extending from the electrode 41 at a position facing the GND connection portion 36 of the lower electrode substrate 30. ing.

  The upper electrode substrate 40 is formed of a flexible material, and is formed, for example, by printing a conductive paste on a resin film. PET, PEN, PI, PC, etc. can be used for the resin film. Silver, carbon, copper, or the like can be used for the conductive paste constituting the electrode 41 and the GND connection portion 42. The portion of the conductive paste excluding the GND connection portion 42 is covered with an insulating resist. In FIG. 5A, reference numeral 43 denotes an opening provided in the insulating resist in order to expose the GND connection portion 42.

  On the other hand, four pushers 44 are formed on the upper surface of the upper electrode substrate 40 as shown in FIG. 5B. These pushers 44 are respectively provided at positions corresponding to the four electrodes 31 of the lower electrode substrate 30.

  The pusher 44 has a disk shape in this example. The pusher 44 is formed by, for example, printing, adhesion of a punched resin film, potting, embossing, or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the spacer 51 has a ring shape having an opening 51 a, and the outer diameter thereof matches the outer diameter of the sensor portion 30 a of the lower electrode substrate 30. The spacer 51 is formed by, for example, an adhesive tape.

  The pedestal 52 has a square plate shape, and stepped portions 52a are formed at the four corners, and bosses 52b are provided on the stepped portions 52a. The base 52 is made of hard resin or metal.

  The double-sided tape 53 has a shape corresponding to the sensor portion 30a and the protruding portion 30e of the lower electrode substrate 30. A slit 53 a is formed in the double-sided tape 53, and the inner end of the slit 53 a is located at a position corresponding to the air hole 35 formed in the lower electrode substrate 30. The slit 53 a reaches the outer edge of the double-sided tape 53 and is open.

  The key top 54 has a disk shape, and FIG. 3 shows a state in which the key top 54 is fixed to the upper surface of the rubber sheet 55.

  The rubber sheet 55 has a square shape corresponding to the shape of the pedestal 52. As shown in FIG. 6, stepped portions 55a that are one step higher are formed at the four corners of the lower surface, and the portions where the stepped portions 55a are formed. The through holes 55b are formed corresponding to the bosses 52b of the base 52, respectively.

  A rectangular recess 55c is formed on the lower surface of the rubber sheet 55, and the recess 55c is thinner than the outer periphery. A circular pusher 55d is formed at the center of the recess 55c, and four protrusions 55e are formed around the pusher 55d at intervals of 90 °.

  The casing 56 has a rectangular plate shape corresponding to the outer shape of the rubber sheet 55, and a circular opening 56a is formed at the center.

  The casing 56 and the key top 54 are made of hard resin, metal, resin film, or the like.

  The assembly of each part is performed by sequentially mounting a double-sided tape 53, a lower electrode substrate 30, a spacer 51, an upper electrode substrate 40, a rubber sheet 55 to which a key top 54 is fixed, and a housing 56 on a pedestal 52.

  The sensor portion 30a and the protruding portion 30e of the lower electrode substrate 30 are fixed on the pedestal 52 by a double-sided tape 53, and the upper electrode substrate 40 is fixed on the lower electrode substrate 30 via a spacer 51 made of an adhesive tape. These positionings are performed by positioning pins of a positioning jig, and the base 52 is formed with two holes 52c through which the positioning pins are inserted as shown in FIG. The double-sided tape 53 is formed with a hole 53b through which two positioning pins are inserted and an oval cutout 53c. Similarly, the lower electrode substrate 30 and the upper electrode substrate 40 have holes 37, 45 and an oval shape. Cutouts 38 and 46 are formed, and the spacer 51 is formed with two oval cutouts 51b and 51c.

  In the arrangement of the upper electrode substrate 40 on the lower electrode substrate 30, the GND connection portion 36 of the lower electrode substrate 30 and the GND connection portion 42 of the upper electrode substrate 40 are connected to each other. For example, ACF (anisotropic conductive film) is used for the connection.

  On the other hand, the rubber sheet 55 to which the key top 54 is fixed is positioned and fixed to the pedestal 52 by inserting the bosses 52b of the pedestal 52 into the four through holes 55b, and the housing 56 is mounted on the rubber sheet 55. Fixed. The key top 54 is located outside the opening 56a of the housing 56 and protrudes to the outside, thereby completing the capacitive pointing device shown in FIGS.

Figure 7 is shows the layered configuration details of the lower electrode substrate 30 and the upper electrode substrate 40 which is laminated via spacer 51, in the figure, 30 ₁ denotes a base film of the lower electrode substrate 30 made of FPC, Reference numeral 30 ₂ denotes a cover film. Further, 40 ₁ denotes a base film of the upper electrode substrate 40, 40 ₂ denotes an insulating resist. Electrode 31 and the electrode 41 of the upper electrode substrate 40 of the lower electrode substrate 30 is covered by a cover film 30 ₂ and the insulating resist 40 ₂ respectively, are insulated so as not to conduct upon contact with each other. Incidentally, the insulating the insulating resist 40 ₂ and the cover film 30 ₂ may be any one or the other.

  In the capacitance-type pointing device configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 2, the gap between the pusher (first pusher) 55 d formed on the lower surface of the rubber sheet 55 and the upper electrode substrate 40. There is a structure in which there is a gap, that is, the pusher 55d integrated with the key top 54 and the upper electrode substrate 40 pressed by the pusher 55d are not fixed to each other.

  The four pushers (second pushers) 44 formed on the upper electrode substrate 40 in correspondence with the positions of the four electrodes 31 on the lower electrode substrate 30 and the first pusher 55d. There is also a slight gap.

  Further, a slight gap is also provided between the tips (lower ends) of the four protrusions 55 e formed around the first pusher 55 d and the upper electrode substrate 40. These four protrusions 55e ensure a gap between the first pusher 55d and the second pusher 44 when the key top 54 is not pressed, and when the key top 54 is pressed, the upper electrode substrate 40. It is provided so that an overload is not applied to.

  FIG. 8 shows a state where the key top 54 is pressed. As shown in FIG. 8, when the key top 54 is pressed, the rubber sheet 55 is displaced, and first, the protrusion 55 e positioned outside the first pusher 55 d comes into contact with the upper electrode substrate 40. Further, when a force is applied, the protrusion 55 e is compressed and deformed, and the first pusher 55 d formed on the rubber sheet 55 comes into contact with the second pusher 44 formed on the upper electrode substrate 40. Further, when a force is applied, the upper electrode substrate 40 is pressed and displaced downward, whereby the distance between the electrode 41 of the upper electrode substrate 40 and the electrode 31 of the lower electrode substrate 30 is changed, and the electrostatic capacitance is changed. Change. At this time, the air in the space surrounded by the lower electrode substrate 30, the upper electrode substrate 40, and the spacer 51, that is, the space in which the electrodes 31 and 41 are located, enters the air holes 35 and the double-sided tape 53 provided in the lower electrode substrate 30. It is discharged outside through the provided slit 53a.

  As described above, in this example, the pusher 55d that is integrated with the key top 54 and presses the upper electrode substrate 40 and the upper electrode substrate 40 are not fixed to each other, and the space in which the electrodes 31 and 41 are located. Is not sealed, when the end of the key top 54 is pressed to press one of the electrodes, for example, due to the rigidity of the key top 54 or the air movement in the space, the position opposite to the pressed position There is no situation where the distance between the electrodes increases.

  Therefore, according to this example, it is possible to prevent malfunction due to an increase in the distance between the electrodes opposite to the pressed position, and it is possible to obtain a capacitive pointing device with excellent reliability.

  Further, since the air in the space where the electrodes 31 and 41 are located is discharged from the air hole 35 when the upper electrode substrate 40 is pressed, the capacitance is reduced with a light load compared to the case where the space is sealed. Can be changed.

  When the key top 54 is pressed and the amount of protrusion of the key top 54 from the housing 56 is small, a part of the finger 61 comes into contact with the housing 56 as shown in FIG. The load applied to 54 (the load that presses the upper electrode substrate 40) is less likely to change, and the change in capacitance is reduced accordingly. On the other hand, if the capacitance can be changed with a light load, the keytop 54 can be operated even if the protruding amount of the key top 54 is kept small, and the capacitance pointing device can be made thin.

  In addition, even when the outer shape of the key top 54 is small, the load applied to the key top 54 is reduced by the contact of the finger with the casing 56. The outer shape of the top 54 can be reduced, and the capacitive pointing device can be downsized.

In this example, four electrodes 31 are formed on the lower electrode substrate 30 at intervals of 90 degrees. In other words, the four electrodes 31 arranged in the positive and negative directions of the two orthogonal axes on the electrode formation surface are provided. If these electrodes 31 are X ⁺ , X ⁻ , Y ⁺ , Y ⁻ as shown in FIG. 4, the load (moving amount) applied in the X and Y axial directions is as follows. Depending on the size, the distance between the electrode 31 and the electrode 41 decreases, and the capacitance increases. Since the magnitude of the force can be detected by the change in capacitance, a biaxial pointing device can be provided.

  In the above configuration, FPC is used for the lower electrode substrate 30, but a printed substrate such as a rigid substrate or the upper electrode substrate 40 can also be used. Further, a control circuit 34 (corresponding to the control unit 13 in FIGS. 18 and 19) is mounted on the lower electrode substrate 30, but the control circuit 34 is not necessarily mounted, and is mounted on another substrate. May be.

  The flexible upper electrode substrate 40 is a printed substrate in which a conductive paste is printed on a resin film, but a thin metal plate, conductive rubber, FPC, or the like can also be used.

  The height of the four pushers 44 formed on the upper electrode substrate 40 is preferably larger than the distance between the electrode 31 and the electrode 41 (the distance between the upper and lower electrodes). Further, a plurality of pushers 44 may be provided for one electrode 31 as shown in FIG.

  Adhesive tape is used for the spacer 51 that holds the upper electrode substrate 40 and the lower electrode substrate 30 at a predetermined interval and enables the upper electrode substrate 40 to be displaced by pressure. For example, the spacer 51 is formed by an adhesive. May be.

  The electrode 41 of the upper electrode substrate 40 is connected to the GND connection portion 36 of the lower electrode substrate 30 via the GND connection portion 42, and is connected to GND through the wiring of the lower electrode substrate 30, but this GND connection is not always necessary. Absent. However, it is preferable to connect to GND for noise countermeasures. The connection between the GND connection units 42 and 36 is not limited to the ACF, and other means may be used.

  The key top 54 is fixed to the rubber sheet 55 so that it can be displaced by the rubber sheet 55 when pressed, and returns to its original position when the pressure is released. The configuration is not limited to this as long as the key top 54 can be pressed and the key top 54 returns to the original position after releasing the press. For example, the key top 54 and the rubber sheet 55 may be replaced with an integral film. Further, the shape of the key top 54 is circular, but is not limited to a circular shape, and may be, for example, a square.

  The pedestal 52 plays a role of supporting the lower electrode substrate 30 when the upper electrode substrate 40 is pressed. However, for example, a frame inside the device to which the capacitive pointing device is attached can be substituted.

  When the upper electrode substrate 40 is pressed, the air holes 35 for discharging the air in the space where the electrodes 31 and 41 are located are provided in the lower electrode substrate 30. , 41 may be provided with an air hole communicating with the outside.

  The protrusion 55e around the first pusher 55d is made of, for example, the first push when the key top 54 is not pressed by selecting the size of the recess 55c that is made of a rubber sheet 55 having a hardness or a thin thickness. If the gap between the child 55d and the second pusher 44 can be secured, it can be omitted.

  FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the configuration of the second embodiment of the capacitive pointing device according to the present invention. In this example, the spacer 51 ′ has a ring shape having one opening 51a of the first embodiment. Unlike the spacer 51, it corresponds to the four electrodes 31 formed on the lower electrode substrate 30, and has four independent openings 51d that the four electrodes 31 respectively face.

  Each opening 51d is formed with a slit 51e that extends from the opening 51d to the outer edge of the spacer 51 'and is open to the outer edge. In this example, the slit 51e communicates the space where the electrodes 31 and 41 are located with the outside. When the upper electrode substrate 40 is pressed, it functions as an air hole for discharging air in the space.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 12, four pushers 55 f that press the upper electrode substrate 40 are formed on the lower surface of the rubber sheet 55.

  FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional structure of the capacitive pointing device of the second embodiment. Four pushers (first pushers) 55f correspond to the positions of the openings 51d of the spacer 51 ′. The upper electrode substrate 40 can be pressed.

In this example, the second pusher 44 formed on the upper electrode substrate 40 in the first embodiment is not necessary. The spacer 51 'for opening 51d are independent of, the base film 40 ₁ of the upper electrode substrate 40 is pulled upon pressing the one electrode side as in Example 1 per electrode 31 in this example Thus, the other electrode side is also slightly pressed, and the situation where the distance between the upper and lower electrodes does not occur, and interference of the output of each electrode can be prevented in that respect.

  FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional structure of Example 3 of the capacitive pointing device according to the present invention.

  In this example, the second pusher 44 is not formed on the upper electrode substrate 40, and one first pusher 55 d formed on the rubber sheet 55 directly presses the upper electrode substrate 40. It has become.

  In this way, the second pusher 44 can be provided, but it is preferable that the second pusher 44 is present in order to press the upper electrode substrate 40 with good positional accuracy.

  In Example 4, the lower electrode substrate 30 and the upper electrode substrate 40 are integrally formed by FPC, and the configuration is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.

  FIG. 15 shows a state in which the FPC is flatly developed, and the lower electrode substrate 30 and the upper electrode substrate 40 have a shape in which their protrusions 30e and 40b in the first embodiment are connected to each other. The sensor portions 30a and 40a are arranged to face each other by folding back the portion indicated by.

In this example, no air hole is formed in the lower electrode substrate 30, and an air hole 47 is formed in the upper electrode substrate 40. The air holes 47 are opened so as to form an X shape as shown in FIG. FIG. 16 shows a laminated structure of the lower electrode substrate 30 and the upper electrode substrate 40 laminated through the spacer 51. Each of the electrodes can be pressed individually by the air holes 47, and a malfunction of the non-pressed electrode can be prevented.

  FIG. 17 shows a cross-sectional structure of a capacitive pointing device according to Example 5 of the present invention.

  In this example, the key top 54 is slidably held on the rubber sheet 55. When the key top 54 is slid, the first pusher 55 d slides together with the key top 54 and comes into contact with the second pusher 44 formed on the upper electrode substrate 40. Further, when the slider is slid, the upper electrode substrate 40 is pressed and displaced downward as the first pusher 55d rides on the second pusher 44. As a result, the distance between the electrode 41 of the upper electrode substrate 40 and the electrode 31 of the lower electrode substrate 30 changes, and the capacitance changes. The key top 54 may be configured to slide in this way.

Although various embodiments have been described above, the capacitance-type pointing device according to the present invention, as described in the background art, compares and determines an output value with a reference value, and a reference value required for actual use. Two types of update processing, namely,
・ Updates with time delay for gradual output value changes due to environmental changes.
・ Update immediately for sudden drop in output value.
Even in a detection method (under use conditions) in which such processing is performed, an erroneous determination does not occur, and thus a capacitive pointing device with excellent reliability that does not malfunction can be realized.

Claims (6)

The first substrate and the second substrate are arranged to face each other via a spacer, a plurality of electrodes are formed on one of the opposing surfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate, and the plurality of electrodes are formed on the other In an electrostatic capacitance type pointing device in which an electrode for forming a capacitance is formed opposite to the electrode, and the capacitance is changed by displacing the second substrate by pressing,
A gap is provided between the first pusher that presses the second substrate and the second substrate,
A capacitive pointing device, wherein a space surrounded by the first substrate, the second substrate, and the spacer on which the electrode is located is not sealed. The capacitive pointing device according to claim 1,
An electrostatic capacitance pointing device, wherein an air hole communicating the space with the outside is formed in the first substrate or the second substrate. The capacitive pointing device according to claim 1,
The spacer includes a plurality of openings through which the plurality of electrodes respectively face.
The electrostatic capacitance type pointing device, wherein the spacer is formed with a slit for communicating each of the openings and the outside. The capacitive pointing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The capacitance type pointing device, wherein the plurality of electrodes are four electrodes respectively arranged in two positive and negative directions on two orthogonal axes on the electrode forming surface. The capacitive pointing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A capacitance-type pointing device, wherein a second pusher is formed on the second substrate corresponding to the positions of the plurality of electrodes. The capacitive pointing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Provided on the outer side of the first pusher is a protrusion that contacts the second substrate prior to the pressing of the second substrate by the first pusher and is deformed by the pressing. Capacitive pointing device, characterized in that

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