US 12,293,047 B2
Input device with an electrostatic capacity detector
Yoshifumi Shakado, Osaka (JP); Takeshi Masutani, Kanagawa (JP); and Hideaki Eto, Osaka (JP)
Assigned to Panasonic Automotive Systems Co., Ltd., Kanagawa (JP)
Filed by Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd., Osaka (JP)
Filed on Jan. 29, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/425,928.
Claims priority of application No. 2023-015400 (JP), filed on Feb. 3, 2023; and application No. 2023-141345 (JP), filed on Aug. 31, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0264706 A1, Aug. 8, 2024
Int. Cl. G06F 3/041 (2006.01); G06F 3/01 (2006.01); G06F 3/044 (2006.01)
CPC G06F 3/0445 (2019.05) [G06F 3/016 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An input device comprising:
a panel on which a pressing operation is performed by an operating body;
a substrate provided on a back surface side of the panel;
a first electrode provided on the substrate;
a holder provided on a back surface side of the substrate, the holder including a second electrode at a part facing the first electrode, the holder engaging with the panel;
an electrostatic capacity detector that detects electrostatic capacity between the first electrode and the second electrode; and
an actuator held by the holder, wherein
the holder moves relative to the substrate when the pressing operation is performed on the panel, has rigidity and conductivity, and covers the second electrode from a back surface side thereof,
the panel includes a first portion on which the pressing operation is performed and a second portion around the first portion, and is engaged with the holder at a plurality of locations in the first portion in a plan view of the panel,
the second portion is more flexible than the first portion, and
a first location of the plurality of locations is provided at a center portion of the first portion in the plan view, and a second location of the plurality of locations is provided along a boundary between the first portion and the second portion.