Input device

An input device includes: a substrate; a first detection electrode that detects input to the input device; a light emitter that emits light when the input is performed; a body plate disposed on the front surface side of the substrate and through which the light is transmitted; and a light guide including an incident surface from which the light enters and a light exit surface from which the light entered from the incident surface exits. A design portion that is light transmissive is disposed on an opposite side of the body plate to the substrate. A penetration hole penetrates through the substrate at a position opposite the design portion. The light guide is disposed in the penetration hole with the incident surface oriented facing a light emitting surface of the light emitter and the light exit surface oriented facing the design portion with the body plate interposed therebetween.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is based on and claims priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-197075 filed on Oct. 30, 2019, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-094012 filed on May 29, 2020.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an input device.

BACKGROUND

Patent Literature (PTL) 1 discloses a conventional touch switch device equipped with a lighting device that includes: a wiring substrate having a flat-plate shape, and having a detection electrode on one surface side and a light-emitting element on the other surface side; and a light guide plate disposed on the one surface side of the wiring substrate for emitting light introduced from the light-emitting element to outside from an operation surface located on the opposite side to the wiring substrate. The light guide plate has a light guide plate main body disposed to cover the detection electrode, and an extending portion that extends from the light guide plate main body to the other surface side of the wiring substrate and guides the light emitted by the light-emitting element to the light guide plate main body.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY

The input device according to PTL 1 can be improved upon.

In view of this, an input device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is capable of improving upon the above related art.

An input device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a substrate; a first detection electrode that is disposed on a front surface of the substrate and detects input to the input device; a light emitter that is disposed on a back surface of the substrate and emits light along a direction parallel to the back surface when the input to the input device is performed; a body plate that is disposed on the front surface side of the substrate and through which light emitted by the light emitter is transmitted; and a light guide that includes an incident surface from which light emitted by the light emitter enters and a light exit surface from which the light entered from the incident surface exits. A design portion that is light transmissive is disposed on an opposite side of the body plate to the substrate, a penetration hole penetrates through the substrate at a position opposite the design portion via the body plate, and the light guide is disposed in the penetration hole with the incident surface oriented facing a light emitting surface of the light emitter and the light exit surface oriented facing the design portion with the body plate interposed between the light exit surface and the design portion.

Note that these comprehensive or specific aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented as a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be implemented as any combination of a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium. The recording medium may be a non-transitory recording medium.

An input device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is capable of improving upon the above related art.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

The conventional light guide plate guides light emitted by a light emitter to a design portion via the extending portion and the light guide plate main body so that the light is emitted through the design portion, which is located on the front surface side. Accordingly, the optical path length from the light emitter to the design portion increases, and this may reduce the brightness of light emitted through the design portion. Moreover, when there are a plurality of design portions, the optical path lengths from light emitters to the design portions are mutually different. Thus, a design portion through which bright light is emitted and a design portion through which dark light is emitted are both present. Therefore, the luminance of light emitted through the respective design portions becomes uneven.

In view of the above, an input device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a substrate; a first detection electrode that is disposed on a front surface of the substrate and detects input to the input device; a light emitter that is disposed on a back surface of the substrate and emits light along a direction parallel to the back surface when the input to the input device is performed; a body plate that is disposed on the front surface side of the substrate and through which light emitted by the light emitter is transmitted; and a light guide that includes an incident surface from which light emitted by the light emitter enters and a light exit surface from which the light entered from the incident surface exits. A design portion that is light transmissive is disposed on an opposite side of the body plate to the substrate, a penetration hole penetrates through the substrate at a position opposite the design portion via the body plate, and the light guide is disposed in the penetration hole with the incident surface oriented facing a light emitting surface of the light emitter and the light exit surface oriented facing the design portion with the body plate interposed between the light exit surface and the design portion.

With this, the penetration hole is formed in the substrate at a position opposite the design portion via the body plate. Since the light guide is disposed in the penetration hole, the light emitted by the light emitter disposed on the back surface of the substrate passes through the penetration hole and the body plate via the light guide, and is guided to the design portion. Accordingly, increase in the optical path length from the light emitter to the design portion is suppressed in the input device.

Therefore, it is possible to suppress luminance unevenness of light emitted through the design portion in the input device.

In particular, when the input device is manufactured, the substrate on which the light emitter, the first detection electrode, etc. are disposed is put into a die, and the body plate is formed by insert molding using a resin material to obtain the input device. In this case, the light emitter is disposed on the back surface of the substrate. With this, the light emitter is less likely to be affected by a highly-heated and highly-pressured molten resin material.

Furthermore, in the input device according to another aspect of the present disclosure, the first detection electrode is disposed along an inner periphery of the penetration hole.

With this, the first detection electrode is provided near the penetration hole. This ensures detection of a touch by, for example, a user's finger on the design portion.

Furthermore, in the input device according to another aspect of the present disclosure, the first detection electrode has a loop shape surrounding the penetration hole and is disposed on the front surface of the substrate.

This enables more reliable detection of a touch on the design portion by a user's finger, even when the user's finger touches a position slightly deviated from the design portion, for example.

Furthermore, in the input device according to another aspect of the present disclosure, the light guide includes an inclined surface that faces the incident surface and the light exit surface, and the inclined surface is a reflective surface that reflects, to the light exit surface, light that enters the incident surface and passes through the light guide.

With this, the inclined surface reflects light that enters from the incident surface and passes through the light guide to the light exit surface. The light reflected off the inclined surface is guided to the design portion via the light exit surface and the body plate. Therefore, the design portion emits bright light. As a result, the design (pattern) on design portion appears.

Furthermore, in the input device according to another aspect of the present disclosure, on the inclined surface, a reflective member that reflects light that passes through the light guide is disposed or light reflective processing for reflecting light that passes through the light guide is performed.

With this, the inclined surface reliably reflects, to the light exit surface, light that enters from the incident surface and passes through the light guide. Therefore, the light reflected off the inclined surface is guided to the design portion via the light exit surface and the body plate. Therefore, the design portion emits brighter light. As a result, the design (pattern) on the design portion appears clearly.

Furthermore, in the input device according to another aspect of the present disclosure, on surfaces other than the incident surface and the light exit surface, a reflective member that reflects light that passes through the light guide is disposed or light reflective processing for reflecting light that passes through the light guide is performed.

With this, not only the inclined surface but also surfaces other than the incident surface and the light exit surface of the light guide can reflect light that enters from the incident surface and passes through light guide. Therefore, the light that enters from the incident surface and passes through the light guide can be collected on the light exit surface. With this, more light can be collected into the design portion via the light exit surface and the body plate. Therefore, the design portion emits bright light more reliably. As a result, the design portion emits bright light, and thus the pattern on design portion appears more clearly.

Furthermore, in the input device according to another aspect of the present disclosure, the body plate is a portion interposed between the design portion and the light exit surface of the light guide, and includes a light-transmissive portion that has a light transmissive property and a non-light-transmissive portion that has a non-light-transmissive property and constitutes a portion other than the light-transmissive portion.

With this, the light-transmissive portion is disposed at a position in which the light-transmissive portion overlaps the design portion and the light guide. Thus, the light exited from the light exit surface of the light guide can be reliably guided to the design portion. Moreover, the portion other than the light-transmissive portion is non-light-transmissive portion. Therefore, more light can be collected into the design portion opposite the light guide of the light-transmissive portion. Because the design portion emits bright light more reliably, the pattern on the design portion appears more clearly.

Furthermore, in the input device according to another aspect of the present disclosure, the body plate includes the light-transmissive portion and the non-light-transmissive portion that are integrally formed by multicolor molding.

With this structure, because the body plate can be manufactured by multicolor molding, the body plate is manufactured more easily than separately manufacturing the light-transmissive portion and the non-light-transmissive portion and combining the light-transmissive portion and the non-light-transmissive portion.

Furthermore, in the input device according to another aspect of the present disclosure, the light emitter is disposed at a position in which a normal direction of the light emitting surface is parallel to the back surface of the substrate and the light emitter overlaps the first detection electrode in a plan view of the substrate.

With this, the first detection electrode is disposed in the vicinity of the design portion to detect a touch on the design portion by a user's finger, for example, and the light emitter can be disposed near such a first detection electrode. In other words, in the input device, the light emitter can be disposed near the design portion. Accordingly, the optical path length from the light emitter to the design portion is less likely to increase. As a result, it is possible to further suppress luminance unevenness of light emitted through the design portion in the input device.

Furthermore, in the input device according to another aspect of the present disclosure, the reflective member is disposed on the inclined surface, the reflective member is a second detection electrode that is conductive, and the second detection electrode is electrically connected to the first detection electrode.

With this, the second detection electrode can be disposed also on the inclined surface of the light guide that faces the design portion. This increases the sensitivity of detecting a touch on the design portion by a user's finger. Accordingly, this increases the reliability of detecting a touch on the design portion by a user's finger.

Furthermore, in the input device according to another aspect of the present disclosure, a through hole that is electrically connected to the first detection electrode is provided in the substrate, and the second detection electrode is electrically connected to the through hole.

With this, the first detection electrode and the second detection electrode are electrically connected via the through hole. This makes it possible to use minimum wiring required to connect the first detection electrode and the second detection electrode, and minimize protrusion of the wiring which may occur by excessive drawing of the wiring. As a result, it is possible to maintain the thin structure of the input device.

The following specifically describes an embodiment according to the present disclosure with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below shows a general or specific example of the present disclosure. The numerical values, shapes, materials, structural elements, the arrangement and connection of the structural elements, etc. shown in the following embodiment are mere examples, and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. Of the structural elements in the following embodiment, structural elements not recited in the independent claim are described as optional structural elements.

Furthermore, the figures are schematic diagrams and are not necessarily precise illustrations. Throughout the figures, structural elements that are essentially the same share like reference signs. Accordingly, duplicate description is omitted or simplified.

In the following embodiment, expressions such as “substantially parallel” are used. For example, “substantially parallel” means not only being completely parallel, but also means being practically parallel, i.e., allowing several percent of error, for example. Furthermore, “substantially parallel” means being parallel within the scope in which advantageous effects according to the present disclosure can be achieved. The same applies to other expressions using “substantially”.

Furthermore, in the following description, a “front surface” is a surface on the side on which the input device is visually recognized (a positive side along the X-axis, and hereinafter, referred to as a positive direction of the X-axis), and a “back surface” is a surface on the opposite side (a negative side along the X-axis, and hereinafter, referred to as a negative direction of the X-axis). Furthermore, a direction that intersects the X-axis direction is defined as the Y-axis direction. A direction that intersects the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is defined as the Z-axis direction.

The following describes an input device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1is a perspective view illustrating an example of storage box100including input device1according to the embodiment.FIG. 1illustrates an example of the inside of a vehicle.FIG. 2is a perspective view illustrating an example of input device1according to the embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, storage box100is disposed on the inside of the vehicle. Storage box100stores glasses, a wallet, and so on. Storage box100is disposed, for example, on an elbow rest, an arm rest, a ceiling of the inside of the vehicle, etc. The location of storage box100is not particularly limited. It should be noted that storage box100may be disposed in an airplane, facility such as a house, etc., as well as the vehicle.

For example, input device1has functions of opening and closing storage box100, and turning on an illumination device in the vehicle, etc. Input device1also serves as the cover of storage box100. Input device1automatically rotates by an input operation by a user, or is rotated manually by the user to open the storage space of storage box100.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, input device1has operation interfaces3for performing such functions. Operation interfaces3are each a portion corresponding to design portion63inFIG. 3, which will be described below. A user touches operation interfaces3to enable the functions of input device1.

A specific configuration of input device1will be described.

FIG. 3is an exemplary cross-sectional view of input device1taken along the line inFIG. 2.FIG. 4is a block diagram illustrating input device1according to the embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, input device1is a plate panel. Input device1displays design portion63. Design portion63is a pattern indicating, for example, opening and closing operations of the storage space of storage box100inFIG. 1, or light-on and light-off states of the illumination device. InFIG. 2, illustration of design portion63is omitted. The pattern to be displayed on design portion63is not particularly limited, and any pattern is possible.

Body plate10is a light-transmissive plate through which light emitted from light emitter40is transmitted. Body plate10transmits light emitted from light emitter40disposed on substrate20. The transmitted light exits from design portion63.

Body plate10is disposed on the front surface21aside of substrate20via first detection electrode30such that body plate10is substantially parallel to the Y-Z plane. In other words, body plate10is disposed on a surface in the positive direction of the X-axis with first detection electrode30being interposed between body plate10and substrate20, and placed on the front surface21aside of substrate20. A surface in the negative direction of the X-axis of body plate10is in close contact with front surface21aof substrate20.

Body plate10is made of a transparent material, for example, a resin material such as an acrylic resin or polycarbonate.

Furthermore, body plate10includes light-transmissive portion11and non-light-transmissive portion12. In the present embodiment, body plate10includes light-transmissive portion11and non-light-transmissive portion12that are integrally formed by multicolor molding. In the present embodiment, body plate10is formed by two-color extrusion molding (two color molding). Furthermore, in the present embodiment, light-transmissive portion11and non-light-transmissive portion12of body plate10are made of an identical resin material, but may be made of different resin materials having different properties. Note that light-transmissive portion11and non-light-transmissive portion12may be made of different resin materials.

Note that light-transmissive portion11and non-light-transmissive portion12may be separate components that can be detached from each other. Body plate10may be formed by combining light-transmissive portion11and non-light-transmissive portion12.

Light-transmissive portion11is a portion interposed between design portion63and light exit surface51bof light guide50, and is light transmissive. When body plate10is viewed from the X-axis direction, light-transmissive portion11overlaps design portion63and light guide50. Light exit surface51bof light guide50is in close contact with first surface11aof light-transmissive portion11that is located in the negative direction of the X-axis, and design portion63is disposed on second surface11bof light-transmissive portion11that is located in the positive direction of the X-axis.

Light-transmissive portion11has a shape and a size corresponding to the shape and the size of light guide50or design portion63viewed from the X-axis direction. In the present embodiment, light-transmissive portion11has a prism shape that is flat in the X-axis direction, and has substantially the same shape and size as the shapes and the sizes light guide50and design portion63viewed from the X-axis direction.

Non-light-transmissive portion12constitutes portions other than light-transmissive portion11. In other words, non-light-transmissive portion12is disposed to surround light-transmissive portion11, when body plate10is viewed in the X-axis direction. In the present embodiment, non-light-transmissive portion12is not in contact with light guide50.

Moreover, non-light-transmissive portion12is not limited to not transmitting light at all, and may transmit a slight amount of light. At least, non-light-transmissive portion12has a lower light-transmitting property than light-transmissive portion11, i.e., has a higher light-blocking property than light-transmissive portion11.

Non-light-transmissive portion12is made of a white or black resin material. Note that non-light-transmissive portion12may have a function of reflecting light that enters from first surface11aof light-transmissive portion11and is transmitted to non-light-transmissive portion12.

Substrate20is a circuit broad on which a conductive pattern is formed. Substrate20is disposed on a surface of body plate10in the negative direction of the X-axis so that substrate20faces body plate10. In other words, substrate20is provided on a surface of body plate10in the negative direction of the X-axis such that substrate20is substantially parallel to the Y-Z plane.

On front surface21a, which is a surface of substrate20that faces body plate10, one or more first detection electrodes30that are electrically connected to the conductive pattern are disposed. Furthermore, on back surface21bof substrate20, one or more light emitters40are disposed.

In substrate20, penetration hole22is formed at a position opposite design portion63via body plate10. Penetration hole22is a hole that penetrates through in the X-direction, and overlaps design portion63via body plate10when viewed from the X-axis direction. Penetration hole22is set to a shape and a size such that light guide50can be disposed inside penetration hole22.

Furthermore, substrate20is, for example, a flexible printed circuit board. On front surface21aof substrate20, a light-reflective paint material may be applied, or a light-reflective sheet or the like may be applied to reduce unnecessary light leakage. As a base material of substrate20, for example, a film such as polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyimide may be used. Note that substrate20is not limited to the flexible printed circuit board and may be a flat substrate such as a glass epoxy board as long as body plate10is flat.

First detection electrode30is a sensor electrode disposed on front surface21aof substrate20and electrically connected to the conductive pattern formed on substrate20. First detection electrode30detects, for example, a touch by a user's hand when the user touches design portion63with his or her hand (input to input device1). First detection electrode30may be a capacitive sensor electrode, for example. First detection electrode30may be a transparent electrode.

Here, the meaning of the “touch” is not limited to directly touching design portion63by a user's hand. The meaning of the “touch” includes an indirect touch by a user's hand via an item and a state in which a space is present between design portion63and a user's hand, as long as first detection electrode30can detect a hand of a person. In other words, first detection electrode30detects a state in which a user's hand touches or is in proximity to design portion63, for example.

First detection electrode30is electrically connected to control circuit70via substrate20. First detection electrode30detects a touch on design portion63by a user and a detection signal which is a result of detection is output to control circuit70.

Furthermore, first detection electrode30is interposed between substrate20and body plate10, and disposed on front surface21aof substrate20along the inner periphery of penetration hole22. In other words, first detection electrode30is disposed at a position adjacent to penetration hole22and on front surface21aof substrate20such that first detection electrode30surrounds penetration hole22.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, first detection electrode30in the present embodiment is formed into a loop shape surrounding penetration hole22.FIG. 5is a plan view illustrating input device1according to the embodiment when viewed from light guide50. In this case, the shape and the size of first detection electrode30are set according to the shape and the size of penetration hole22and light guide50so that light guide50is disposed within the inner periphery of first detection electrode30. Furthermore, opening surface31defined by the inner periphery of first detection electrode30overlaps design portion63and covers design portion63when viewed from the X-axis direction.

Note that first detection electrode30may be disposed in the vicinity of penetration hole22as long as first detection electrode30is capable of detecting a touch on design portion63by a user's hand. The configuration of surrounding penetration hole22and having a loop shape is not essential to first detection electrode30. Furthermore, when first detection electrode30is disposed to surround penetration hole22, a plurality of first detection electrodes30may be disposed discretely.

As illustrated inFIG. 3andFIG. 5, light emitter40is a light source disposed on back surface21bof substrate20, and emits light along a direction substantially parallel to back surface21bwhen input to input device1is performed. More specifically, light emitter40is disposed at a position in which the normal direction of light emitting surface41is parallel to back surface21bof substrate20and light emitter40overlaps first detection electrode30via substrate20in a plan view of substrate20(when viewed from the X-axis direction). The normal direction of light emitting surface41is substantially parallel to optical axis3of light emitter40. In other words, light emitter40is disposed in an edge of inner periphery defining penetration hole22such that light emitting surface41faces the central axis of penetration hole22, i.e., faces light guide50. With this configuration, light emitter40is disposed at a position adjacent to penetration hole22and emits light to light guide50. Note that when light emitter40is viewed from the X-axis direction, light emitter40may overlap design portion63and light-transmissive portion11.

Note that light emitter40is disposed on back surface21bof substrate20so that, when body plate10is molded by insert molding using a resin material, light emitter40is protected from a highly-heated and highly-pressured molten resin material and is less likely to be affected by heat in the process of forming body plate10.

Moreover, light emitter40is electrically connected to control circuit70via substrate20. Light emitter40emits light by receiving electric power via control circuit70, for example, to prompt a user to perform input to input device1, i.e., input to operation interface3. Moreover, light emitter40is turned on and off when input to input device1, i.e., for example, input to operation interface3by a user, is performed. Furthermore, when input is performed, light emitter40may be in a light-on or light-off state. Here, input to operation interface3means that touching on design portion63by a user's finger, for example.

Light emitter40has a light-emitting element that is sealed and fixed with a white resin. The light-emitting element of light emitter40is disposed on substrate20such that the direction of optical axis3of the emitted light intersects light guide50.

Light emitter40includes a light emitting diode (LED) as a light-emitting element, for example. Light emitter40emits light such as white light, blue light, red light, and green light. Note that light emitter40may include a light-emitting element other than the LED. For example, light emitter40may include an organic electroluminescent (EL) element or a bulb.

Note that when a plurality of light emitters40are disposed, light emitters40each may include the same type of light-emitting element. In this case, the same type of light-emitting element means a light-emitting element that emits light at the same luminance level when the light-emitting condition (e.g. magnitude of applied current or power) is the same.

Light guide50guides light emitted by light emitter40to a surface on the negative side of the X-axis of body plate10, i.e., first surface Ha of light-transmissive portion11. Light guide50is disposed on a surface on the negative side of the X-axis of body plate10such that light guide50faces light emitting surface41of light emitter40and is inserted into penetration hole22of substrate20and opening surface31of first detection electrode30. In other words, light guide50is disposed in penetration hole22with incident surface51a, which will be described later, oriented facing light emitting surface41of light emitter40, and light exit surface51b, which will also be described later, oriented facing design portion63with body plate10interposed therebetween. Note that when light guide50is viewed from the X-axis direction, light guide50overlaps design portion63and light-transmissive portion11.

Light guide50has a prism shape that is flat in the X-axis direction, and has substantially the same shape and size as the shapes and the sizes substrate20and penetration hole22when viewed from the X-axis direction.

Light guide50is made of a transparent material, for example, a resin material such as an acrylic resin or polycarbonate.

FIG. 6is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of light emitter40, light guide50, and design portion63according to the embodiment. InFIG. 6, illustration of body plate10, front layer portion60, substrate20, etc. is omitted.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, light guide50has incident surface51a, light exit surface51b, inclined surface51c, and a plurality of reflective side surfaces51d.

Incident surface51ais a surface through which light emitted by light emitter40enters. Furthermore, incident surface51ais a surface that faces light emitting surface41of light emitter40, and is perpendicular to optical axis J of light emitter40. Incident surface51ais parallel to the X-Z plane.

Light exit surface51bis a surface from which the light that enters through incident surface51aexits after the light passes through light guide50. Moreover, light exit surface51bis a surface that faces first surface11aof light-transmissive portion11of body plate10and is in close contact with first surface11a. In other words, the light that exits from light exit surface51benters first surface11aof light-transmissive portion11and is transmitted through light-transmissive portion11. Light exit surface51bis substantially parallel to the Y-Z plane. Furthermore, light exit surface51boverlaps design portion63and covers design portion63when viewed from the X-axis direction.

Inclined surface51cis a surface that faces incident surface51aand light exit surface51b(a surface opposite incident surface51aand light exit surface51b), and intersects optical axis3of light emitter40. Inclined surface51cinclines upward with respect to the Y-Z plane in a direction away from light emitter40. In other words, the distance between inclined surface51cand optical axis J decreases in the direction away from light emitter40(in the positive direction of the Y-axis inFIG. 3). When inclined surface51cis viewed from the X-axis direction, inclined surface51coverlaps design portion63.

Inclined surface51cis a reflective surface that reflects light enters from incident surface51aand passes through light guide50to light exit surface51b. Inclined surface51caccording to the present embodiment is flat, but may be a free-form surface.

Reflective side surfaces51dare surfaces other than incident surface51a, light exit surface51b, and inclined surface51c, and side surfaces of light guide50that reflects light passing through light guide50. More specifically, reflective side surfaces51dare side surfaces on both sides of the Z-axis direction, and a side surface in the positive direction of the Y-axis. Reflective side surfaces51dare one example of surfaces of light guide50other than incident surface51aand light exit surface51b.

Furthermore, light guide50includes light reflective layer53. Light reflective layer53is disposed on each of inclined surface51cand reflective side surfaces51d. More specifically, each light reflective layer53is a reflective member that reflects light that passes through light guide50and is disposed on inclined surface51cand reflective side surfaces51d, or inclined surface51cand reflective side surfaces51don which processing for reflecting light that passes through light guide50is performed. Here, reflection means not only total reflection of light but also includes diffuse reflection of light. Therefore, the reflective member and inclined surface51cand reflective side surfaces51don which the processing for reflecting light is performed totally reflect light or diffusely reflect light.

In the present embodiment, as light reflective layer53, a reflective member having a light-reflective function is attached to each of inclined surface51cand reflective side surfaces51d. Examples of light reflective layer53include a reflective sheet, a light reflective coat, and a light reflective film. Moreover, light reflection processing is processing of forming a reflective surface by distributing a light reflective material having a light-reflecting function on each of reflective side surfaces51d, for example.

Moreover, a reflective sheet need not be formed. In this case, a reflective surface may be implemented by a refractive index difference between light guide50and the outside. In other words, reflective side surfaces51dand inclined surface51cmay totally reflect light off the interface between the outside and the respective side surfaces51d, and between the outside and inclined surface51c.

Note that a light diffusion material may be distributed at least one of on incident surface51a, on light exit surface51b, on reflective side surfaces51d, or inside of light guide50. Moreover, a coloring agent may be distributed at least one of on incident surface51a, on light exit surface51b, on reflective side surfaces51d, or inside of light guide50. In other words, the light diffusion material and the coloring agent may be provided in an optical path from light emitter40to design portion63. Both of the light diffusion material and the coloring agent may be distributed inside light guide50, or one of the light diffusion material and the coloring agent may be selectively distributed inside light guide50. Similarly, the light diffusion material and the coloring agent may be applied to body plate10. Moreover, for example, the coloring agent colors light emitted by light emitter40to red, blue, yellow, green, etc., when the light emitted by light emitter40is white. For example, when the light emitted by light emitter40is yellow, blue coloring agent may be used to make the color of the light emitted by light emitter40closer to white.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, front layer portion60is provided on the front surface of body plate10. Design portion63is formed on front layer portion60. In other words, front layer portion60includes design portion63. Front layer portion60transmits light from the portion where design portion63is formed, and blocks light in portions other than design portion63. In the present embodiment, front layer portion60allows a portion of light transmitted through light-transmissive portion11of body plate10to exit from design portion63, and reflects the rest of the light to light guide50. Front layer portion60is, for example, a paint material or a reflective sheet having a light reflecting function, and may have a light absorbing function.

Front layer portion60includes top layer61and light blocking layer62.

Top layer61is a layer forming the outline of input device1, and forming the front surface of input device1. For example, a user's finger touches top layer61. Top layer61is light transmissive and light is transmitted through top layer61. Furthermore, top layer61is a resin material that simulates a wood-grain, leather-like, metal tone, or fiber-like appearance, for example. Note that wood, fiber, leather, etc. may be used as top layer61.

Light blocking layer62is a layer that blocks light transmitted through body plate10, and is between top layer61and body plate10. Light blocking layer62is provided on the front surface of body plate10. Light blocking layer62is made of a white or black resin material, for example. Light blocking layer62has a function of reflecting light or absorbing light.

In the present embodiment, front layer portion60includes design portions63each associated with a corresponding one of operation interfaces3, as illustrated inFIG. 1.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, each design portion63is a portion through which light exits from input device1. Design portion63is a portion of front layer portion60through which the light transmitting through body plate10is transmitted. Therefore, design portion63is light transmissive.

Design portion63is formed on the opposite side of body plate10to substrate20. In other words, design portion63is provided above a surface (front surface) of body plate10in the positive direction of the X-axis. As illustrated inFIG. 5, design portion63overlaps light guide50when viewed from the X-axis direction, such that the light exiting light exit surface51bof light guide50is guided to design portion63.

In the present embodiment, design portion63includes part of light blocking layer62and part of top layer61.

In light blocking layer62, opening62ahaving the same pattern as the pattern to be shown on design portion63is formed, and light passes through opening62a. Opening62aof light blocking layer62is formed by masking the pattern to be shown on design portion63and taking out the masked portion. Top layer61is provided on light blocking layer62on which the pattern shown on design portion63is formed. Accordingly, opening62aof light blocking layer62is filled with top layer61. When light enters design portion63from body plate10, the light is transmitted through top layer61filled in opening62aof light blocking layer62, and is blocked by light blocking layer62other than opening62a.

Moreover, top layer61is provided also on a surface of light blocking layer62in the positive direction of the Z-axis and the front surface of front layer portion60is made uniformly flat. Thus, design portion63is less likely to be identified when front layer portion60is viewed while light emitter40does not emit light.

FIG. 7is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a cross section of another input device. Note that as illustrated inFIG. 7, design portion63may have pattern portion63a, top layer61, and light blocking layer62, for example. Pattern portion63ais a layer of a light-transmissive film or sheet provided on the front surface of body plate10. Top layer61is provided on an upper surface (a surface in the positive direction of the X-axis) of pattern portion63a. More specifically, after pattern portion63ais provided on the front surface of body plate10, light blocking layer62is provided thereon except for pattern portion63a. Then, design portion63is provided on the upper surfaces of pattern portion63aand light blocking layer62such that the front surface of front layer portion60is flat. In other words, the front surface of operation interface3of input device1is even and light is transmitted through the front surface of operation interface3.

As another example, design portion63may have a protruded structure in which part of body plate10is protruded (protruded portion). In other words, pattern portion63aand body plate10may be integrally formed using the same resin material.

Control circuit70detects a touched position based on a detection signal output by first detection electrode30. The touched position is a position touched by a user. In other words, control circuit70controls the device to achieve a function corresponding to the position of design portion63that corresponds to the detected touched position. For example, when first detection electrode30detects a touch on design portion63, control circuit70receives a command input corresponding to the pattern shown by design portion63corresponding to first detection electrode30that has detected the touch. Control circuit70controls, for example, opening and closing of the storage space of storage box100inFIG. 1, and turning the illumination device on and off in accordance with the command received.

More specifically, control circuit70causes input device1, the illumination device, etc. to operate in some operation modes. For example, control circuit70has an operation mode in which the storage space of storage box100inFIG. 1is opened and closed, an operation mode in which the illumination device in a vehicle is turned on and off, etc. In other words, control circuit70causes input device1to rotate, the illumination device to be turn on and off, etc. in accordance with the pattern shown by design portion63.

Moreover, control circuit70controls operations of light emitter40. For example, control circuit70causes light emitter40to be turn on or off when first detection electrode30detects a touch on design portion63.

Note that control circuit70is provided on front surface21aof substrate20or back surface21b. Note that control circuit70may be provided on another substrate20that is electrically connected to the conductive pattern of substrate20.

FIG. 8illustrates an example of light-on and light-off states.FIG. 8is a plan view illustrating an example of light-off and light-on states of operation interface3of input device1according to the embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 3andFIG. 8, in such input device1, when light emitter40emits light (is turned on), the light enters incident surface51aof light guide50and passes through inside light guide50. The light that passes through light guide50incidents on inclined surface51c, etc. and is reflected to light exit surface51b. The light exiting from light exit surface51benters first surface11aof light-transmissive portion11of body plate10, passes through light-transmissive portion11, and is guided to second surface11bof light-transmissive portion11. In other words, the light transmitted through light-transmissive portion11is collected into design portion63. A portion of the light collected into design portion63is transmitted through top layer61and exits from the front surface of front layer portion60and the rest of the light is blocked by light blocking layer62.

When light emitter40is in the light-on state, light corresponding to the pattern on design portion63is emitted. Accordingly, a user can recognize the pattern on design portion63in the light-on state. In the light-off state, the front surface of operation interface3of input device1is flat (uniform), and thus a user cannot visually recognize or less likely to visually recognize the pattern on design portion63.

Next, working effects of input device1according to the present embodiment will be described.

The input device1according to the present embodiment includes: substrate20; first detection electrode30that is disposed on front surface21aof substrate20and detects input to input device1; light emitter40that is disposed on back surface21bof substrate20and emits light along a direction parallel to back surface21bwhen the input to input device1is performed; body plate10that is disposed on the front surface21aside of substrate20and through which light emitted by light emitter40is transmitted; and light guide50that includes incident surface51afrom which light emitted by light emitter40enters and light exit surface51bfrom which the light entered from incident surface51aexits. Design portion63that is light transmissive is disposed on an opposite side of body plate10to substrate20, penetration hole22penetrates through substrate20at a position opposite design portion63via body plate10, and light guide50is disposed in penetration hole22with incident surface51aoriented facing light emitting surface41of light emitter40and light exit surface51boriented facing design portion63with body plate10interposed between light exit surface51band design portion63.

With this structure, penetration hole22is formed in substrate20at a position opposite design portion63via body plate10. Since light guide50is disposed in penetration hole22, the light emitted by light emitter40disposed on back surface21bof substrate20passes through penetration hole22and body plate10via light guide50, and is guided to design portion63. Accordingly, increase in the optical path length from light emitter40to design portion63is suppressed in input device1.

Therefore, it is possible to suppress luminance unevenness of light emitted through design portion63in input device1.

In particular, when input device1is manufactured, substrate20on which light emitter40, first detection electrode30, etc. are disposed is put into a die, and body plate10is formed by insert molding using a resin material to obtain input device1. In this case, light emitter40is disposed on back surface21bof substrate20. With this, light emitter40is less likely to be affected by a highly-heated and highly-pressured molten resin material.

Moreover, in input device1according to the present embodiment, first detection electrode30is disposed along an inner periphery of penetration hole22.

With this, first detection electrode30is disposed near penetration hole22. This ensures detection of a touch by, for example, a user's finger on design portion63.

Moreover, in input device1according to the present embodiment, first detection electrode30has a loop shape surrounding penetration hole22and is disposed on front surface21aof substrate20.

This enables more reliable detection of a touch on design portion63by a user's finger, even when the user's finger touches a position slightly deviated from design portion63, for example.

Moreover, in input device1according to the present embodiment, light guide50includes inclined surface51cthat faces incident surface51aand light exit surface51b, and inclined surface51cis a reflective surface that reflects, to light exit surface51b, light that enters incident surface51aand passes through light guide50.

With this, inclined surface51creflects light that enters from incident surface51aand passes through light guide50to light exit surface51b. The light that is reflected off inclined surface51cis guided to design portion63via light exit surface51band body plate10. Therefore, design portion63emits bright light. As a result, the design (pattern) on design portion63appears.

Moreover, in input device1according to the present embodiment, on inclined surface51c, light reflective layer53that reflects light that passes through light guide50is disposed or light reflective processing for reflecting light that passes through light guide50is performed.

This ensures that inclined surface51creflects light that enters from incident surface51aand passes through light guide50to light exit surface51b. With this, the light reflected off inclined surface51cis guided to design portion63via light exit surface51band body plate10. Therefore, design portion63emits brighter light. As a result, the design (pattern) on design portion63appears more reliably.

Moreover, in input device1according to the present embodiment, on surfaces other than incident surface51aand light exit surface51b, light reflective layer53that reflects light that passes through light guide50is disposed or light reflective processing for reflecting light that passes through light guide50is performed.

With this, not only inclined surface51cbut also surfaces other than incident surface51aand light exit surface51bof light guide50reflect light that enters from incident surface51aand passes through light guide50. Therefore, the light that enters from incident surface51aand passes through light guide50can be collected on light exit surface51b. With this, more light can be collected into design portion63via light exit surface51band body plate10. Therefore, design portion63emits bright light more reliably. As a result, design portion63emits bright light, and thus the pattern on design portion63appears more clearly.

Moreover, in input device1according to the present embodiment, body plate10is a portion interposed between design portion63and light exit surface51bof light guide50, and includes light-transmissive portion11that has a light-transmitting property and a non-light-transmissive portion12that has a non-light-transmitting property and constitutes a portion other than light-transmissive portion11.

With this, light-transmissive portion11is disposed at a position in which light-transmissive portion11overlaps design portion63and light guide50. Thus, the light that exits from light exit surface51bof light guide50is reliably guided to design portion63. Moreover, the portion other than light-transmissive portion11is non-light-transmissive portion12. Therefore, more light can be collected into design portion63opposite light guide50of light-transmissive portion11. Because of this, design portion63emits bright light more reliably, and the pattern on design portion63appears more clearly.

In input device1according to the present embodiment, body plate10includes light-transmissive portion11and non-light-transmissive portion12that are integrally formed by multicolor molding.

In input device1according to the present embodiment, light emitter40is disposed at a position in which the normal direction of light emitting surface41is parallel to back surface21bof substrate20and light emitter40overlaps first detection electrode30in a plan view of substrate20.

With this structure, for example, first detection electrode30is disposed in the vicinity of design portion63to detect a touch on design portion63by a user's finger and light emitter40can be disposed near such first detection electrode30. In other words, in input device1, light emitter40can be disposed near design portion63. Accordingly, the optical path length from light emitter40to design portion63is less likely to be long. As a result, it is possible to further suppress luminance unevenness of light emitted through design portion63in input device1.

Other Variations

One or more aspects of the present disclosure have been described above on the basis of the embodiment, but the present disclosure is not limited to the input device.

For example, in the input device according to the embodiment, the design portion may be formed by a patterning process of a two-color molding resin or a coating film using laser, a mask process (such as screen printing), an in-mold transfer printing process, a three dimension overlay method (TOM) process, an insert molding, etc. Note that the forming of the design portion is not limited to the above, and other known means may be employed.

Although the input device according to the embodiment is described that the body plate is formed by putting the substrate in a die, and performing insert molding using a resin material, the input device is not limited to the above configuration. The substrate may be attached to the body plate with a double-sided tape or an adhesive agent after the body plate is formed.

Moreover, for example, when the input device according to the above embodiment is applied to an arm rest or the like, a touch pad may be employed as a detection electrode.

In the input device according to the embodiment, the control circuit may be energized from a battery, etc. For example, the electrical power may be supplied to the control circuit from a power source of the vehicle or the commercial power supply.

Furthermore, the input device according to the embodiment may be applied to not only the cover of the storage box, but also, for example, an input device provided to an arm rest or an inner door surface which requires a thinner input device.

Furthermore, in input device1aaccording to the embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 9, the light reflective layer (reflective member) disposed on inclined surface51cof light guide50may be second detection electrode24that is conductive. Second detection electrode24may be a capacitive sensor electrode disposed on inclined surface51c, for example. Second detection electrode24may be electrically connected to first detection electrode30. Furthermore, through hole23electrically connected to first detection electrode30may be formed in substrate20. Furthermore, second detection electrode24may be electrically connected to through hole23.FIG. 9is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cross section of input device1aaccording to other variations.

As described in the embodiment, a reflective sheet is formed as light reflective layer53on inclined surface51cof light guide50. In input device1ainFIG. 9, the reflective sheet is made of a metal foil tape (or a sheet, a film, etc.), for example. The metal foil tape is attached to inclined surface51c. The front surface of the metal foil tape is a surface that faces inclined surface51cand that is attached to inclined surface51c. The front surface of the metal foil tape has a metallic luster. Therefore, the metal foil tape functions as the above-described light reflective layer.

Because the metal foil tape is electrically connected to first detection electrode30, the metal foil tape not only functions as the above-described light reflective layer, but also as second detection electrode24. In other words, since second detection electrode24is disposed on substantially the entire surface of inclined surface51c, it is possible to obtain a configuration corresponding to a configuration in which the area of first detection electrode30is expanded, compared with the configuration in which second detection electrode24is not used as the light reflective layer. Accordingly, this increases the sensitivity of detecting a touch on design portion63by a user's finger.

Furthermore, in input device1ainFIG. 9, through hole23electrically connected to first detection electrode30is formed in substrate20. Although input device1ainFIG. 9has a configuration in which first detection electrode30and through hole23overlap each other (overlap in the X-axis direction), the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. Input device1amay have a configuration in which first detection electrode30and through hole23are spaced apart from each other (disposed without overlapping each other in the X-axis direction), and first detection electrode30and through hole23are connected to each other by a wiring pattern of substrate20.

Through hole23is provided with a conductor that passes through substrate20to electrically connect the front surface and the back surface of substrate20, i.e., through hole23is not a non-plated through hole. Therefore, first detection electrode30and second detection electrode24can be electrically connected by electrically connecting second detection electrode24to through hole23.

As described above, since first detection electrode30and second detection electrode24are electrically connected via through hole23, this makes it possible to use minimum wiring required to connect first detection electrode30and second detection electrode24, and minimize protrusion of the wiring which may occur by excessive drawing of the wiring. As a result, it is possible to maintain a thin structure of the input device.

Although in the above-described input device1a, the light reflective layer serves as second detection electrode24, second detection electrode24may be provided on the front surface of the light reflective layer.

The input device according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure has been described above on the basis of the embodiment, but the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment. One or more aspects of the present disclosure may include, without departing from the essence of the present disclosure, a variation achieved by making various modifications to the present disclosure that can be conceived by those skilled in the art or an embodiment achieved by combining structural elements in different embodiments.

The disclosures of the following Japanese Patent Applications including specification, drawings and claims are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-197075 filed on Oct. 30, 2019, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-094012 filed on May 29, 2020.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure is useful as an input device and the like capable of outputting light having less luminance unevenness from the design portion of the input device.