Capacitive input device having a curved surface

• US 10,191,602 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2016
• Issued: 01/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kiyoshi, Tsutomu, Oizumi, Mitsuo, Takahashi, Hidekazu
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Long D
• Application Number:
  US15/042,435
• Publication Number:
  US 20160162077A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,082 Days
• Field of Search: 345174
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 181/08 Polysulfonates
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 5/24 Electrically-conducting paints conductive materials H01B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04103 Manufacturing, i.e. details related to manufacturing processes specially suited for touch sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0443 using a single layer of sensing electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/006 Only mechanical function
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/006 Containing a capacitive switch or usable as such
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/962 Capacitive touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/960755 Constructional details of capacitive touch and proximity switches

Abstract

A capacitive input device having a curved surface shape includes: an external body molded with a synthetic resin, the external body having an external curved surface facing a user; a film base, which is integrally provided so as to conform to the internal curved surface of the external body; a conductive layer made of conductive macromolecules, the conductive layer being formed on an opposite surface of the film base, the opposite surface being opposite to a bonded surface, of the film base, that is bonded to the external body; and wiring layers that are electrically connected to the conductive layer.

Claims

1. A capacitive input device having a curved surface shape, the capacitive input device comprising:

an external body molded with a synthetic resin, the external body having an external curved surface facing a user;

a film base, which is integrally provided so as to conform to an internal curved surface of the external body;

an adhesive layer provided between the internal curved surface of the external body and the film base;

a conductive layer made of a conductive macromolecule, the conductive layer being disposed on an opposite surface of the film base, the opposite surface being opposite to a surface of the film base on the external body side;

a wiring layer that is disposed to overlap a part of the conductive layer and is electrically connected to the conductive layer; and

a protective layer that is disposed to cover an opposite surface of the conductive layer and is made of a material that comprises an insulative synthetic resin, the protective layer being thinner than the film base, the opposite surface of the conductive layer being opposite to a surface that is on the film base.

2. The capacitive input device according to claim 1, wherein the conductive macromolecule comprises a mixture of poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and polystyrene sulfonate (PSS).

3. The capacitive input device according to claim 1, wherein the external body, the film base, and the conductive layer are transparent, and wherein a decorative layer is provided on a surface of the film base toward the external body.