JP7774403B2 - Sensor unit and mounting structure for sensor unit and mounting object - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sensor unit and an attachment structure for connecting the sensor unit to an attachment target.

The following patent document describes a mounting structure for a vehicle interior part and a capacitive touch switch. The vehicle interior part includes a housing, a cushioning layer covering the surface of the housing, and an outer surface layer covering the cushioning layer. The touch switch is sandwiched between the housing and the cushioning layer.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-188919

This touch switch is attached to a vehicle interior component as follows: First, the touch switch is fixed onto the housing. Then, the cushion layer is attached to the housing so that it covers the touch switch. This positions the touch switch between the housing and the cushion layer. Attaching the cushion layer to the housing in this manner is a difficult task, as it requires careful attention to ensure that no air gets trapped between the touch switch and the cushion layer.

The present invention provides a sensor unit that can be easily attached to an attachment target, and an attachment structure for connecting the sensor unit to the attachment target.

One aspect of the present invention is a sensor unit that can be attached to an attachment target from one side in a first direction so that the sensor unit is partially housed in a hole that is provided on the attachment target and opens in at least one of the first directions. The hole may also open in the other of the first directions.

This sensor unit can be configured to include a detection sensor and at least one cushion part, or a detection sensor, at least one cushion part, and a cover part. The detection sensor can be a touch sensor or a pressure sensor, and can be configured to detect the approach of a detection target from the other side of the first direction. The at least one cushion part can be configured to cover at least a portion of the detection sensor from the other side of the first direction. In this case, the first direction can be the direction in which the at least one cushion part and the detection sensor are aligned.

If a cover portion is not provided, it is preferable that at least one cushion portion be at least partially contained within the hole of the attachment target when the sensor unit is attached to the attachment target from one side in the first direction. If a cover portion is provided, it is possible for the cover portion to be configured to cover the at least one cushion portion and the detection sensor from the other side in the first direction. In this case, it is preferable that at least one of the cover portion and the at least one cushion portion be at least partially contained within the hole of the attachment target when the sensor unit is attached to the attachment target from one side in the first direction.

When using a sensor unit of any of the above configurations, the detection sensor is already covered with at least one cushion portion, making it easy to attach the sensor unit to the attachment target.

Any of the above sensor units may be configured to further include a body. The body may have a holding portion. The holding portion may be positioned on one side of the detection sensor in the first direction and may be configured to hold the detection sensor. For example, the holding portion may be configured as a box that opens on the other side of the first direction. In this case, the holding portion may house the detection sensor and at least a portion of at least one cushion portion, and may be configured to be at least partially housed within a hole in the attachment target when the sensor unit is attached to the attachment target from one side in the first direction. The holding portion may also be a plate that holds the sensor.

The body may further include at least one fixed portion. The at least one fixed portion may be positioned outward from the detection sensor in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and may be configured to be fixed to an attachment object from one side in the first direction.

At least one fixed portion may be provided on the detection sensor rather than on the body. The sensor main body may be a touch sensor or pressure sensor, and may be configured to detect the approach of a detection target from the other side of the first direction. At least one fixed portion may be positioned outward from the sensor main body in a direction approximately perpendicular to the first direction, and may be configured to be fixed to the attachment target from one side of the first direction.

In addition, at least one of the fixed portions in any of the above-described embodiments can be configured to be fixed to the attachment object from one side in the first direction, with an elastic body interposed between the at least one fixed portion and the attachment object.

At least one fixed portion can be omitted. In this case, the sensor unit of any of the above aspects can be configured to further include an attachment member. The attachment member can be fixed to the body or the detection sensor and can be configured to be fixed to the attachment target from one side in the first direction. An elastic body can be interposed between the attachment member and the body or the detection sensor. Alternatively, the sensor unit can be fixed by fitting a portion housed in a hole in the attachment target into the hole (FIT IN), or by being adhered to the attachment target within the hole. In this case, the attachment member can be omitted.

The detection sensor may be configured to have a first surface on the other side of the first direction.

At least one cushion portion may be configured to have a first surface on the other side in the first direction and a second surface on one side in the first direction. The second surface of at least one cushion portion may be configured to be in surface contact with the first surface of the detection sensor or in contact with the first surface of the detection sensor via an interlayer member.

At least one cushion portion may further include at least one intermediate portion disposed between the detection sensor and the at least one cushion portion.

At least one cushion section and/or at least one intermediate section may be configured to be waterproof.

At least one intermediate portion may be configured to have a first surface on the other side in the first direction and a second surface on one side in the first direction. The second surface of at least one intermediate portion may be configured to be in surface contact with the first surface of the detection sensor or in contact with the first surface of the detection sensor via an interlayer member.

Any of the above-described sensor units may be configured to further include at least one exhaust path.

When the second surface of at least one cushion portion is in surface contact with the first surface of the detection sensor or is in surface contact with the first surface of the detection sensor via an interlayer member, at least one exhaust path can be provided on at least one of the second surface of the at least one cushion portion and the first surface of the detection sensor, and can be configured to be open to that at least one surface and to a side surface abutting against that at least one surface. Alternatively, at least one exhaust path can be provided in the interlayer member, and can be configured to be open to at least one of the second surface of the at least one cushion portion and the first surface of the detection sensor, and to be open to a side surface of the interlayer member.

When the second surface of at least one intermediate section is in surface contact with the first surface of the detection sensor or is in surface contact with the first surface of the detection sensor via an interlayer member, at least one exhaust path can be provided on at least one of the second surface of the at least one intermediate section and the first surface of the detection sensor, and can be configured to be open to that at least one surface and to a side surface abutting against that at least one surface. Alternatively, at least one exhaust path can be provided in the interlayer member, and can be configured to be open to at least one of the second surface of the at least one intermediate section and the first surface of the detection sensor, and to be open to a side surface of the interlayer member.

At least one cushion section may be configured as multiple sections stacked in the first direction.

At least one intermediate portion may be multiple and stacked in the first direction.

One aspect of the mounting structure of the present invention includes a sensor unit according to any of the above aspects and an attachment target having a hole opening in at least one of the first directions.

When a cover portion is not provided, the sensor unit can be attached to the attachment target from one side in the first direction, and at least one cushion portion of the sensor unit can be at least partially contained within the hole of the attachment target from one side in the first direction. When a cover portion is provided, the sensor unit can be attached to the attachment target from one side in the first direction, and at least one of the cover portion and at least one cushion portion of the sensor unit can be at least partially contained within the hole of the attachment target from one side in the first direction.

In any of the mounting structures described above, if at least one fixed portion or mounting member is provided on the body of the sensor unit or the detection sensor, it is possible to configure the at least one fixed portion or mounting member to be fixed to the mounting object from one side in the first direction.

The object to be attached can be configured with a housing.

The attachment object may further include a cushioning layer that at least partially covers the housing from the other side in the first direction.

The attachment object may further include an outer surface layer that at least partially covers the housing and cushion layer from the other side in the first direction.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a connection structure between a sensor unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention and an attachment target. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the sensor unit and the attachment target of the connection structure of Example 1 are separated. FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a mounting structure according to a first embodiment. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a first design modification of an attachment target of the attachment structure of Example 1. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a second design modification of the mounting structure of the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a first design modification of the sensor unit of the mounting structure of the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a second design modification of the sensor unit of the mounting structure of the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a third design modification of the sensor unit of the mounting structure of the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a connection structure between a sensor unit and an attachment object according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the sensor unit and the attachment target of the connection structure of Example 2 are separated. FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a first design modification of the sensor unit of the mounting structure of the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a second design modification of the sensor unit of the mounting structure of the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a third design modification of the sensor unit of the mounting structure of the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a connection structure between a sensor unit and an attachment object according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the sensor unit and the attachment target of the connection structure of Example 3 are separated. FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a first design modification of the sensor unit of the mounting structure of the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a second design modification of the sensor unit of the mounting structure of the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a connection structure between a sensor unit and an attachment object according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the sensor unit and the attachment object of the connection structure of Example 4 are separated. FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a first design modification of the sensor unit of the mounting structure of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a second design modification of the sensor unit of the mounting structure of the fourth embodiment.

The following describes several embodiments of the present invention, including Examples 1, 2, 3, and 4, as well as their design variations. Please note that the components of the embodiments and design variations described below can be combined with each other as long as they are not inconsistent. Also, please note that the materials, shapes, dimensions, numbers, and arrangements of the components in each aspect of the embodiments and design variations described below are merely examples, and that any design variation is possible as long as the same function can be achieved.

The following describes mounting structures for a sensor unit U1 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "unit U1") and a mounting target T according to multiple embodiments of the present invention, including Example 1 and its design variations, with reference to Figures 1A to 4C. Figures 1A to 2 show the mounting structure of Example 1. Figure 3A shows a first design variation of the mounting target T for the mounting structure of Example 1, and Figure 3B shows a second design variation of the mounting target T for the mounting structure of Example 1. Figure 4A shows a first design variation of the unit U1 for the mounting structure of Example 1, Figure 4B shows a second design variation of the unit U1 for the mounting structure of Example 1, and Figure 4C shows a third design variation of the unit U1 for the mounting structure of Example 1. Figures 1A, 1B, and 3A to 4C show the Z-Z' direction (first direction). The Z-Z' direction includes the Z' direction (one of the first directions) and the Z direction (the other of the first directions).

The attachment target T may be, for example, an automobile interior (e.g., a console (see Figures 1A to 2), armrest, seat, dashboard, steering wheel, door inner panel or headliner (interior trim)), furniture (e.g., a sofa, stool, chair, desk or table, etc.), a smartphone or other portable information terminal, a user-operated fixed information terminal (e.g., an automated teller machine (ATM), ticket vending machine, reception terminal for entering into a loan contract such as a card loan, multimedia terminal for making ticket reservations or product purchase applications, vending machine, POS (Point of Sales) terminal, ticket issuing machine for issuing train tickets (including boarding passes) installed at airports, bullet train stations, etc.), or amusement equipment (e.g., pachinko machines, pachislot machines, slot machines, game machines, etc.)).

The attachment target T includes a housing 10 (see Figures 1A to 3B). The housing 10 is the housing of the aforementioned automobile interior, furniture, a portable information terminal, a fixed information terminal, or the like.

The attachment target T may further include a cushion layer 20 (see Figures 1A to 3A). The cushion layer 20 may be made of an expandable foam material such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), urethane, or silicone; a gel material such as silicone or urethane; a fiber material made of three-dimensionally woven synthetic fibers such as polyester; or a soft resin material such as various elastomers. The cushion layer 20 at least partially covers the housing 10 from the Z direction. That is, the cushion layer 20 may be configured to completely or partially cover the housing 10 from the Z direction. The cushion layer 20 may be fixed to the housing 10 with adhesive, multiple screws, and/or multiple pins, but is not limited to this. The cushion layer 20 may be omitted (see Figure 3B).

The attachment target T may further include an outer surface layer 30 (see Figures 1A to 3B). The outer surface layer 30 may be made of natural leather, artificial leather, synthetic leather, fabric made from a fibrous material such as woven or knitted fabric, or a resin film.

When the cushion layer 20 is provided (see Figures 1A to 3A), the outer surface layer 30 covers the cushion layer 20 and the housing 10 from the Z direction side. When the cushion layer 20 completely covers the housing 10, the outer surface layer 30 can be configured to completely cover the cushion layer 20 and the housing 10 from the Z direction side, or to partially cover the cushion layer 20 and the housing 10 from the Z direction side. When the cushion layer 20 partially covers the housing 10, the outer surface layer 30 can be configured to completely cover the cushion layer 20 and the housing 10 from the Z direction side, or to partially cover the cushion layer 20 and the housing 10 from the Z direction side, or to completely cover the cushion layer 20 and partially cover the housing 10 from the Z direction side.

When the cushioning layer 20 is not provided (see Figure 3B), the outer surface layer 30 covers the housing 10 from the Z direction side. The outer surface layer 30 can be configured to completely cover the housing 10 from the Z direction side, or to partially cover the housing 10 from the Z direction side.

Regardless of which of the above-described embodiments of the outer surface layer 30 is used, it is preferable that the outer surface layer 30 be fixed to the cushion layer 20 and/or the housing 10 with adhesive, multiple screws and/or multiple pins, etc., but this is not limited to this. The outer surface layer 30 may be omitted.

The attachment target T has a hole H. The hole H is provided in the attachment target T and is open at least in the Z' direction. While the hole H is open in the Z' direction, it can also be a bottomed hole with the Z direction side closed. This hole H in the attachment target T further has, for example, any one of the following configurations (1) to (3).

(1) When the attachment target T includes a housing 10, a cushion layer 20, and an outer surface layer 30 (see Figures 1A and 1B), the hole H includes a first hole 11 in the housing 10 and a second hole 21 in the cushion layer 20. The first hole 11 is a through-hole penetrating the housing 10 in the Z-Z' direction. The second hole 21 is a through-hole penetrating the cushion layer 20 in the Z-Z' direction, located on the Z-direction side of the first hole 11 and communicating with the first hole 11. It is preferable that the shape of the first hole 11 viewed from the Z' direction is substantially the same as the shape of the second hole 21 viewed from the Z' direction, and that the dimensions (projected area) of the first hole 11 viewed from the Z' direction are the same as the dimensions (projected area) of the second hole 21 viewed from the Z' direction, but this is not limited to this. The outer surface layer 30 can be configured to block the second hole 21 in the cushion layer 20 from the Z direction. The portion of the outer surface layer 30 located on the Z-direction side of the hole H forms the bottom of the hole H, and the surface on the Z-direction side has a touch area that can be contacted from the Z-direction side by a detection object such as a finger or touch pen.

(2) The hole 31 in the configuration of (2) has the same configuration as the hole 31 in the configuration of (1) above, except that the second hole 21 is a bottomed hole that opens in the Z' direction and is closed on the Z direction side, and the cushion layer 20 has a bottom 21a on the Z direction side of the second hole 21 (see Figure 3A). The bottom 21a may be a cushion layer separate from the cushion layer 20 (see Figure 3A), or it may be formed integrally with the cushion layer 20. The bottom of the hole H is composed of the bottom 21a and a portion of the outer surface layer 30 located on the Z direction side of the hole H. The Z direction side surface of the portion of the outer surface layer 30 located on the Z direction side of the hole H forms the touch area.

(3) When the attachment object T does not include the cushion layer 20 but includes the housing 10 and the outer surface layer 30 (see Figure 3), the hole H includes the first hole 11 of the housing 10. The first hole 11 is a through-hole that penetrates the housing 10 in the Z-Z' direction. The outer surface layer 30 blocks the first hole 11 of the housing 10 from the Z direction side. The portion of the outer surface layer 30 located on the Z direction side of the first hole 11 forms the bottom of the hole H, and the surface on the Z direction side forms the touch area.

Unit U1 is attached to the attachment target T so that it is partially housed in the hole H of the attachment target T from the Z' direction side. Hereinafter, this state in which unit U1 is attached to the attachment target T will be referred to simply as "attachment state 1."

Unit U1 is equipped with a detection sensor 100. The detection sensor 100 has a first surface on the Z-direction side and a second surface on the Z'-direction side. The detection sensor 100 is a touch sensor, pressure sensor, or the like, and is configured to be able to detect the approach of a detection target from the Z-direction side.

When the detection sensor 100 is a capacitive touch sensor, the detection sensor 100 has at least one sensor layer 110. The at least one sensor layer 110 can be one or more. Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, the at least one sensor layer 110 will also be referred to as "one or each sensor layer 110." One sensor layer 110 of the "one or each sensor layer 110" corresponds to one sensor layer 110 when there is one sensor layer 110, and each sensor layer 110 corresponds to each sensor layer 110 when there are multiple sensor layers 110. The one or each sensor layer 110 is a plate or film made of resin (e.g., polycarbonate (PC) resin, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin, ABS resin, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin, cycloolefin polymer (COP) resin, DURABIO (registered trademark) resin, etc.).

When there is only one at least one sensor layer 110, the first surface of the sensor layer 110 on the Z-direction side is the first surface of the detection sensor 100, and the second surface of the sensor layer 110 on the Z'-direction side is the second surface of the detection sensor 100. When there is more than one sensor layer 110, the multiple sensor layers 110 are stacked in the Z-Z' direction. The multiple sensor layers 110 include a top sensor layer located furthest in the Z-direction and a bottom sensor layer located furthest in the Z'-direction. The top sensor layer has a first surface on the Z-direction side and a second surface on the Z'-direction side, and the first surface of the top sensor layer is the first surface of the detection sensor 100. The bottom sensor layer has a first surface on the Z-direction side and a second surface on the Z'-direction side, and the second surface of the top sensor layer is the second surface of the detection sensor 100.

The detection sensor 100 further includes at least one first electrode 120. The at least one first electrode 120 may be one or more. Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, the at least one first electrode 120, like the at least one sensor layer 110, will also be referred to as "one or each first electrode 120." The one or each first electrode 120 is made of a transparent conductive film or a conductor. In the above-described mounting state 1, the one or each first electrode 120 is located on the Z' direction side relative to the touch area of the mounting target T.

When there is one at least one sensor layer 110, one or each first electrode 120 is provided on the first or second surface of the one sensor layer 110. When there are multiple at least one sensor layers 110, one or each first electrode 120 is provided on the first or second surface of any one of the multiple sensor layers 110.

One or each first electrode 120 is electrically connected to a control unit (not shown). This control unit may be provided in unit U1, or it may not be provided in unit U1 and may be built into the aforementioned automobile, furniture, portable information terminal, or fixed information terminal. For the sake of convenience, hereinafter, we will refer to it simply as the "control unit" without distinguishing between the control unit of unit U1 and a control unit outside unit U1.

The detection sensor 100 may further include at least one second electrode 120. The at least one second electrode 120 may be one or more. Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, the at least one second electrode 120, like the at least one sensor layer 110, will also be referred to as "one or each second electrode 120." The one or each second electrode 120 is made of a transparent conductive film or a conductor. In the above-described mounting state 1, the one or each second electrode 120 is located on the Z' direction side relative to the touch area of the mounting target T.

When there is one at least one sensor layer 110, one or each second electrode 120 is provided on the first or second surface of the one sensor layer 110. When there is multiple at least one sensor layer 110, one or each second electrode 120 is provided on the first or second surface of any one of the multiple sensor layers 110. One or each second electrode 120 is also electrically connected to the control unit.

When the detection sensor 100 is a self-capacitance capacitive touch sensor, the detection sensor 100 has at least one first electrode 120 but does not have at least one second electrode 120. In this case, the control unit charges or discharges one or more first electrodes 120. When the detection target touches the touch area from the Z direction (i.e., approaches one or at least one of the first electrodes 120 from the Z direction), the capacitance between the detection target and one or at least one of the first electrodes 120 changes. In response to this change in capacitance, a signal (e.g., voltage or current) of at least one of the one or at least one first electrodes 120 changes. The control unit monitors the signal from one or at least one first electrode 120 and compares it with a first threshold value stored in the control unit's memory. When the comparison shows that one signal from one first electrode 120 or at least one signal from multiple first electrodes 120 exceeds the first threshold, the control unit determines that the touch to be detected has occurred in the Z direction on the part of the first electrode 120 in the touch area where the signal exceeded the first threshold.

When the detection sensor 100 is a mutual capacitance touch sensor, the detection sensor 100 has at least one first electrode 120 and at least one second electrode 120. One or more second electrodes 120 are drive electrodes, and one or more first electrodes 120 are detection electrodes. A drive pulse is supplied from the control unit to one or more second electrodes 120. At this time, when a detection target approaches one or at least one of the first electrodes 120 and one or at least one of the second electrodes 120 from the Z direction, the capacitance between the one or at least one of the first electrodes 120 and one or at least one of the second electrodes 120 changes, causing a change in the signal from the one or at least one of the first electrodes 120. The control unit monitors the signal (voltage or current) of one or more first electrodes 120 and compares the signal of one or more first electrodes 120 with a second threshold value stored in the control unit's memory. When the comparison shows that the signal of one first electrode 120 or at least one of the multiple first electrodes 120 exceeds the second threshold value, the control unit determines that a touch to be detected has occurred in the part of the touch area on the Z-direction side of the first electrode 120 whose signal exceeds the second threshold value.

The detection sensor 100 may also be configured as both a self-capacitance type and a mutual capacitance type. In this case, when the control unit charges or discharges one or more first electrodes 120, the capacitance between the detection target approaching from the Z direction and the one or at least one of the first electrodes 120 changes, causing a change in the signal of the one or at least one of the first electrodes 120. Furthermore, when the control unit supplies a drive pulse to one or at least one second electrode 120, the detection target approaches the one or at least one of the first electrodes 120 from the Z direction and the one or at least one of the second electrodes 120 changes the capacitance between the one or at least one of the first electrodes 120 and the one or at least one of the second electrodes 120, causing a change in the signal of the one or at least one of the first electrodes 120. The control unit monitors the signal (voltage or current) of one or more first electrodes 120 and compares the signal of one or more first electrodes 120 with a third threshold value stored in the control unit's memory. When the comparison shows that the signal of one first electrode 120 or at least one of the multiple first electrodes 120 exceeds the third threshold value, the control unit determines that a touch to be detected has occurred in the part of the touch area on the Z-direction side of the first electrode 120 whose signal exceeds the third threshold value.

If the detection sensor 100 is a resistive touch sensor (not shown), the detection sensor 100 has at least one sensor layer 110, at least one first electrode 120, at least one second electrode 120, and at least one insulating spacer. The at least one sensor layer 110 can be configured to have a first sensor layer 110 and a second sensor layer 110. The first sensor layer 110 has a first surface on the Z-direction side and a second surface on the Z'-direction side. The second sensor layer 110 has a first surface on the Z-direction side and a second surface on the Z'-direction side. The first surface of the first sensor layer 110 is the first surface of the detection sensor 100, and the second surface of the second sensor layer 110 is the second surface of the detection sensor 100. At least one first electrode 120 is provided on the second surface of the first sensor layer 110, and at least one second electrode 120 is provided on the first surface of the second sensor layer 110 and is spaced apart from the at least one first electrode 120 in the Z-Z' direction. At least one spacer is interposed between the first sensor layer 110 and the second sensor layer 110 or between the at least one first electrode 120 and the at least one second electrode 120, separating the two electrodes. When a detection target approaches from the Z direction, a load is applied to a portion of the at least one first electrode 120, causing at least a portion of the at least one first electrode 120 to flex and come into contact with the at least one second electrode 120, thereby establishing electrical continuity between the two electrodes. By detecting this continuity, the control unit determines that a detection target has touched the portion of the first electrode 120 on the Z direction side.

When the detection sensor 100 is a pressure sensor (not shown), when the detection target comes into contact with the touch area of the attachment target T (i.e., the detection target approaches from the Z direction), pressure is applied to the pressure sensor, causing the signal (voltage, etc.) of the pressure sensor to change. The control unit monitors the pressure sensor signal (voltage, etc.) and compares the pressure sensor signal with a fourth threshold value stored in the control unit's memory. When the pressure sensor signal exceeds the fourth threshold value as a result of this comparison, the control unit determines that the detection target has touched the touch area.

The detection sensor 100 is not limited to a capacitive touch sensor, a resistive touch sensor, or a pressure sensor, but can also be an ultrasonic surface acoustic wave touch sensor, an optical touch sensor, or an electromagnetic induction touch sensor, etc.

The unit U1 further includes at least one cushion portion 200. The at least one cushion portion 200 may be one or more. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the at least one cushion portion 200, like the at least one sensor layer 110, will also be referred to as "one or each cushion portion 200." The one or each cushion portion 200 is made of an elastic material (e.g., the same material as the cushion layer 20 of the attachment target T or another elastic material). The one or each cushion portion 200 may be insulating or have a high resistance value (e.g., a surface resistance value on the order of 10 Ω/ _□ or greater), but is not limited thereto. The surface resistance value may be a value measured using a measurement method conforming to standards such as JIS K 6911 or JIS C 2170. Other elastic materials include, for example, closed-cell foams (e.g., general-purpose polyethylene foam or rubber sponge), open-cell foams (e.g., urethane foam), polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, and silicone. Closed-cell foams have multiple cells that are independent of each other. The open-cell foam has a plurality of continuous cells arranged therein. Adjacent cells among the plurality of cells are connected to each other. One or each of the cushion sections 200 may be waterproof, but is not limited to this. The waterproofness of one or each of the cushion sections 200 may be IPX1 or higher according to the International Electrotechnical Commission standard (JIS C0920). In this case, one or each of the cushion sections 200 may be made of, for example, the aforementioned closed-cell foam having waterproofness.

At least one cushion portion 200 covers at least a portion of the detection sensor 100 (i.e., a portion or the entire detection sensor 100) from the Z direction side. When there is only one at least one cushion portion 200 (see Figures 1A, 1B, and 4B), the cushion portion 200 has a first surface on the Z direction side and a second surface on the Z' direction side. The second surface of the cushion portion 200 may be in surface contact with the first surface of the detection sensor 100. Alternatively, the second surface of the cushion portion 200 and the first surface of the detection sensor 100 may be in contact via an interlayer member 600 (e.g., an adhesive layer, double-sided tape, etc.). When the interlayer member 600 is an adhesive layer or double-sided tape, the second surface of the cushion portion 200 and the first surface of the detection sensor 100 are bonded together by the interlayer member 600.

When there are multiple cushion sections 200 (see Figures 4A and 4C), the multiple cushion sections 200 are stacked in the Z-Z' direction. The multiple cushion sections 200 include an uppermost cushion section 200 closest to the Z-direction and a lowermost cushion section 200 closest to the Z'-direction. The uppermost cushion section 200 has a first surface on the Z-direction side. The lowermost cushion section 200 has a second surface on the Z'-direction side. The second surface of the lowermost cushion section 200, like one cushion section 200, is in surface contact with or is bonded to the first surface of the detection sensor 100 via an interlayer member 600. The Z-Z' direction is the direction in which at least one cushion section 200 and the detection sensor 100 are aligned.

The plurality of cushion portions 200 includes at least one set of two cushion portions 200 adjacent to each other in the Z-Z' direction. Hereinafter, of these two adjacent cushion portions 200, the cushion portion 200 on the Z-direction side will be referred to as the first cushion portion 200a, and the cushion portion 200 on the Z'-direction side will be referred to as the second cushion portion 200b. The first cushion portion 200a and the second cushion portion 200b may be in surface contact with each other, or may be in contact via an interlayer member 600. When the interlayer member 600 is an adhesive layer or double-sided tape, the first cushion portion 200a and the second cushion portion 200b are bonded together by the interlayer member 600. When there are two cushion portions 200, the first cushion portion 200a is the uppermost cushion portion 200, and the second cushion portion 200b is the lowermost cushion portion 200. When there are three or more cushion portions 200, the first cushion portion 200a is the uppermost cushion portion 200 and the second cushion portion 200b is the cushion portion 200 located on the Z'-direction side of the uppermost cushion portion 200, or the second cushion portion 200b is the lowermost cushion portion 200 and the first cushion portion 200a is the cushion portion 200 located on the Z-direction side of the lowermost cushion portion 200, or the first cushion portion 200a and the second cushion portion 200b are cushion portions 200 between the uppermost and lowermost cushion portions 200.

When one or more cushion parts 200 cover a portion of the detection sensor 100, the outer shape of the one or more cushion parts 200 as viewed from the Z direction side is arbitrary, and the outer dimensions (projected area) of the one or more cushion parts 200 as viewed from the Z direction side are smaller than the outer dimensions (projected area) of the detection sensor 100 as viewed from the Z direction side. When one or more cushion parts 200 cover the entire detection sensor 100, the outer shape of the one or more cushion parts 200 as viewed from the Z direction may be substantially the same as the outer shape of the detection sensor 100 as viewed from the Z direction, and the outer dimensions (projected area) of the one or more cushion parts 200 as viewed from the Z direction may also be substantially the same as the outer dimensions (projected area) of the detection sensor 100 as viewed from the Z direction, or the outer shape of the one or more cushion parts 200 as viewed from the Z direction may be arbitrary, and the outer dimensions (projected area) of the one or more cushion parts 200 as viewed from the Z direction may be larger than the outer dimensions (projected area) of the detection sensor 100 as viewed from the Z direction.

The unit U1 may further include at least one exhaust path P. The at least one exhaust path P may be provided on at least one of the second surface of one cushion portion 200 or the lowest cushion portion 200 and the first surface of the detection sensor 100, and may be open to the at least one surface and a side surface abutting the at least one surface. For example, the at least one exhaust path P may be a through-hole (not shown) or groove (see FIG. 4B ) extending along the at least one surface, opening to the at least one surface (in at least one of the Z direction and the Z' direction), and opening to a side surface abutting the at least one surface. If the detection sensor 100 is surface-treated, such as by an overcoat (this is referred to as a surface-treated portion), the surface-treated portion of the detection sensor 100 may comprise the first surface of the detection sensor 100. In this case, the at least one exhaust path P may be a through-hole or groove provided in the first surface of the surface-treated portion of the detection sensor 100.

Alternatively, when one cushion section 200 (not shown) or the lowest cushion section 200 (see FIGS. 4A and 4C) is made of the open-cell foam described above, at least one exhaust path P may be made of multiple cells in the one cushion section 200 or the lowest cushion section 200. The at least one exhaust path P includes at least one first cell, at least one second cell, and at least one third cell. The at least one first cell is provided on the second surface of the one cushion section 200 or the lowest cushion section 200 and is open to the second surface. The at least one second cell is provided on the side surface of the one cushion section 200 or the lowest cushion section 200 and is open to the side surface. When there is one at least one first cell and one at least one second cell and there is one or more third cells, one first cell and one second cell are connected (communicated) by one or more third cells. In this case, there is one exhaust path P, and it is composed of one first bubble, one second bubble, and one or more third bubbles. If there are multiple of at least one first bubble, at least one second bubble, and at least one third bubble, each first bubble and each second bubble are connected (communicate) by a portion of the third bubbles (one or more third bubbles) among the multiple third bubbles (total third bubbles). In this case, there are multiple exhaust paths P, and each exhaust path P is composed of one of the multiple first bubbles, one of the multiple second bubbles, and a portion of the multiple third bubbles (total third bubbles) among the multiple third bubbles (one or more third bubbles).

When an interlayer member 600 is interposed between the second surface of one cushion member 200 or the lowest cushion member 200 and the first surface of the detection sensor 100, at least one exhaust path P can be a through-hole or groove provided in the interlayer member 600, and can be configured to open to at least one of the second surface of one cushion member 200 or the lowest cushion member 200 and the first surface of the detection sensor 100, and also to open to a side surface of the interlayer member 600. Even when an interlayer member 600 is provided, at least one exhaust path P can be provided outside the interlayer member 600, as described above.

The at least one exhaust path P described above may be provided multiple times. Note that the at least one exhaust path P can be omitted. Regardless of whether at least one exhaust path P is provided (except when at least one exhaust path P has multiple bubbles), the cushion portion 200 located on the Z-direction side of the lowest cushion portion 200 can be configured to have the waterproof properties described above. For example, the first cushion portion 200a may be made of a closed-cell foam that is waterproof.

The unit U1 can be configured to further include a cover portion 500 (see Figures 4B and 4C). The cover portion 500 is made of the same material as the outer surface layer 30. The cover portion 500 and the outer surface layer 30 may be made of the same material or different materials. The outer shape of the cover portion 500 as viewed from the Z direction is substantially the same as the outer shape of at least one cushion portion 200 as viewed from the Z direction, and the outer dimensions (projected area) of the cover portion 500 as viewed from the Z direction are also substantially the same as the outer dimensions (projected area) of at least one cushion portion 200 as viewed from the Z direction. The cover portion 500 covers at least one cushion portion 200 and the detection sensor 100 from the Z direction.

The cover portion 500 has a first surface on the Z-direction side and a second surface on the Z'-direction side. When there is only one cushion portion 200, the second surface of the cover portion 500 may be in surface contact with the first surface of the cushion portion 200. Alternatively, the second surface of the cover portion 500 and the second surface of the cushion portion 200 may be in contact via an interlayer member 600 (not shown). When the interlayer member 600 is an adhesive layer or double-sided tape, the second surface of the cover portion 500 and the second surface of the cushion portion 200 are bonded together by the interlayer member 600. When there is more than one cushion portion 200, the second surface of the cover portion 500 may be in surface contact with the first surface of the uppermost cushion portion 200 of the multiple cushion portions 200. Alternatively, the second surface of the cover portion 500 and the second surface of the uppermost cushion portion 200 may be in contact via an interlayer member 600 (not shown). If the interlayer member 600 is an adhesive layer or double-sided tape, the second surface of the cover portion 500 and the second surface of the uppermost cushion portion 200 are bonded together by the interlayer member 600. The cover portion 500 can be omitted.

Unit U1 further includes a body 300. The body 300 is made of an insulating material (e.g., insulating resin). The body 300 has a holding portion 310. The holding portion 310 is located on the Z' direction side of the detection sensor 100 and supports the detection sensor 100. For example, the holding portion 310 may be made of a plate or the central portion of a plate extending in a direction approximately perpendicular to the Z-Z' direction (hereinafter, this direction will be referred to as the "orthogonal direction"). In this case, the second surface of the detection sensor 100 may be in surface contact with the Z direction surface of the holding portion 310, or may be attached with an adhesive layer or double-sided tape (not shown). Alternatively, the holding portion 310 may be made of a box that is open in the Z direction and has a bottom and sidewalls extending in the Z direction from the periphery of the bottom, or the bottom of such a box. In this case, the second surface of the detection sensor 100 can be in surface contact with the surface of the bottom of the holding part 310 on the Z direction side, or can be attached using the adhesive layer, double-sided tape, etc.

The body 300 may further include at least one fixed portion 320. The at least one fixed portion 320 may be one or more. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the at least one fixed portion 320, like the at least one sensor layer 110, will also be referred to as "one or each fixed portion 320." The one or each fixed portion 320 is positioned outwardly relative to the detection sensor 100 supported by the holding portion 310 in the perpendicular direction. For example, if the holding portion 310 is configured as a plate or a box, the one or each fixed portion 320 may be configured as an arm or flange extending perpendicularly from the holding portion 310. If the holding portion 310 is configured as the center of a plate, the one or each fixed portion 320 may be configured as an edge portion around the center of the plate. If the holding portion 310 is configured as the bottom of a box, the one or each fixed portion 320 may be configured as a sidewall of the box. In any of these configurations, in the above-described mounting state 1, one or each fixed portion 320 is located on the Z' direction side of the periphery of the first hole 11 in the housing 10 of the mounting target T, and is fixed to the periphery of the first hole 11 in the housing 10 by screwing, gluing, welding, etc.

The one or each fixed portion 320 has a mounting surface on the Z direction side that directly or indirectly contacts the periphery of the first hole 11 of the housing 10 of the mounting target T. Hereinafter, when a cover portion 500 is not provided, the height position of the mounting surface of the one or each fixed portion 320 in the Z-Z' direction relative to the detection sensor 100 and at least one cushion portion 200 is referred to as the "first height position." When a cover portion 500 is provided, the height position of the mounting surface of the one or each fixed portion 320 in the Z-Z' direction relative to the detection sensor 100, at least one cushion portion 200, and cover portion 500 is referred to as the "second height position." The first or second height position of the mounting surface of the one or each fixed portion 320 can be set arbitrarily by increasing the thickness dimension of the one or each fixed portion 320 in the Z-Z' direction or by configuring the one or each fixed portion 320 to extend in the Z-Z' direction. For example, the first or second height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 can be (a) approximately the same as the height position in the Z-Z' direction of the second surface of the detection sensor 100 (see Figures 1A to 2 and 4A to 4C), (b) approximately the same as the height position in the Z-Z' direction of the first surface of the detection sensor 100, the second surface of one cushion portion 200, or the second surface of the lowest cushion portion 200 (not shown), or (c) approximately the same as the height position between the first and second surfaces of one cushion portion 200 in the Z-Z' direction or the height position between the first surface of the top cushion portion 200 and the first surface of the lowest cushion portion 200 in the Z-Z' direction (not shown). Furthermore, the second height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 can be made approximately the same as the height position in the Z-Z' direction of (d) the first surface of one cushion portion 200, the first surface of the uppermost cushion portion 200, or the second surface of the cover portion 500 (not shown).

When the first height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 is as described above in (a) and no interlayer member 600 is provided on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface, the portion of unit U1 located on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 (i.e., the detection sensor 100 and one or more cushion portions 200) becomes the first accommodated portion (see Figures 1A to 2 and 4A). When the first height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 is as described above in (a) and one or more interlayer members 600 are provided on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface, the first accommodated portion includes the one or more interlayer members 600 in addition to the detection sensor 100 and one or more cushion portions 200. When the second height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 is as described above in (a) and no interlayer member 600 is provided on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface, the portion of unit U1 located on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 (i.e., the detection sensor 100, one or more cushion portions 200, and the cover portion 500) becomes the second accommodated portion (see Figures 4B and 4C). When the second height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 is as described above in (a) and one or more interlayer members 600 are provided on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface, the second accommodated portion includes the detection sensor 100, one or more cushion portions 200, and the cover portion 500, as well as the one or more interlayer members 600.

When the first height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 is as described above in (b) and no interlayer member 600 is provided on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface, the portion of unit U1 located on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 (i.e., one or more cushion portions 200) becomes the third accommodated portion. When the first height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 is as described above in (b) and one or more interlayer members 600 are provided on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface, the third accommodated portion includes the one or more cushion portions 200 as well as the one or more interlayer members 600. When the second height position of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 320 is as described above in (b) and no interlayer member 600 is provided on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface, the portion of unit U1 located on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 320 (i.e., one or more cushion portions 200 and cover portion 500) becomes the fourth accommodated portion. When the second height position of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 320 is as described above in (b) and one or more interlayer members 600 are provided on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface, the fourth accommodated portion includes the one or more cushion portions 200 and cover portions 500 as well as the one or more interlayer members 600.

When the first height position of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 320 is as described above in (c) and no interlayer member 600 is provided on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface, the portion of unit U1 that is located on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 320 (i.e., the portion that is located on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface of one or more cushion portions 200) becomes the fifth accommodated portion. When the first height position of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 320 is as described above in (c) and one or more interlayer members 600 are provided on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface, the fifth accommodated portion includes the one or more interlayer members 600 in addition to the portion that is located on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface of one or more cushion portions 200. When the second height position of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 320 is as described above in (c) and no interlayer member 600 is provided on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface, the portion of the unit U1 that is located on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 320 (i.e., the portion of one or more cushion portions 200 that is located on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface and the cover portion 500) becomes the sixth accommodated portion. When the second height position of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 320 is as described above in (c) and one or more interlayer members 600 are provided on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface, the sixth accommodated portion includes the one or more interlayer members 600 in addition to the portion of one or more cushion portions 200 that is located on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface and the cover portion 500.

When the second height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed part 320 is as described above in (d) and no interlayer member 600 is provided on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface, the portion of unit U1 located on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface of one or each fixed part 320 (i.e., the cover part 500) becomes the seventh accommodated part. When the second height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed part 320 is as described above in (d) and one or more interlayer members 600 are provided on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface, the seventh accommodated part includes the one or more interlayer members 600 in addition to the cover part 500.

When the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 directly contacts the periphery of the first hole 11 in the housing 10 of the mounting target T, the Z-Z' direction dimension of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion of unit U1 is approximately the same as the Z-Z' direction dimension of hole H in the mounting target T. When the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 indirectly contacts the periphery of the first hole 11 in the housing 10 of the mounting target T via another member such as an elastic body, the sum of the Z-Z' direction dimension of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion and the Z-Z' direction dimension of the other member is approximately the same as the Z-Z' direction dimension of hole H in the mounting target T. Furthermore, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion of unit U1 further has the following configuration (a) or (b).

(A) The outer shape of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion as viewed from the Z direction is substantially the same as the shape of the hole H as viewed from the Z direction, and the outer dimensions (projected area) of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion as viewed from the Z direction are also substantially the same as the dimensions (projected area) of the hole H as viewed from the Z direction. In the above-described mounting state 1, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion is fitted (FIT IN) into the hole H of the mounting object T (see FIG. 1A). In this fitted state, the surface of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion of unit U1 closest to the Z direction (the first surface of one cushion portion 200, the first surface of the top cushion portion 200, or the first surface of the cover portion 500) abuts against the surface of the bottom of hole H on the Z' direction side.

(a) The outer shape of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion as viewed from the Z direction is substantially the same as or different from the shape of the hole H as viewed from the Z direction, and the outer dimensions (projected area) of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion as viewed from the Z direction are smaller than the dimensions (projected area) of the hole H as viewed from the Z direction. The first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion is accommodated in the hole H of the attachment target T in the above-mentioned attachment state 1. In this attachment state, the surface of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion of unit U1 closest to the Z direction (the first surface of one cushion portion 200, the first surface of the top cushion portion 200, or the first surface of the cover portion 500) abuts against the surface of the bottom of the hole H on the Z' direction side.

In addition, the outer surface layer 30 that forms the bottom of the hole H, or the bottom 21a and outer surface layer 30, are flexible, so when the touch area at the bottom of the hole H is touched by the detection object, the bottom bends, elastically deforming at least one cushion portion 200 of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion.

When the third or fourth accommodated portion is fitted or housed in the hole H, the entire detection sensor 100 is located on the Z' side of the hole H. When the fifth or sixth accommodated portion is fitted or housed in the hole H, the entire detection sensor 100 and the portions of one or more cushion portions 200 that are located on the Z' side of the mounting surface are located on the Z' side of the hole H. When the seventh accommodated portion is fitted or housed in the hole H, the entire detection sensor 100 and the entire one or more cushion portions 200 are located on the Z' side of the hole H.

When the holding unit 310 is configured as a box having a bottom and side walls, the detection sensor 100 located on the Z' side of the third or fourth accommodated unit, the detection sensor 100 located on the Z' side of the fifth or sixth accommodated unit and one or more cushion units 200 located on the Z' side of the mounting surface, or the detection sensor 100 and one or more cushion units 200 located on the Z' side of the seventh accommodated unit, can be configured to be housed in a housing hole (hereinafter also referred to as a box housing hole) defined by the bottom and side walls of the holding unit 310.

Alternatively, when the holding unit 310 is configured as a box and the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh accommodated unit has the configuration (a) above, it is possible to configure the first or second accommodated unit so that at least a portion on the Z' direction side (the entire Z' direction portion or the entire Z' direction portion) is accommodated in the accommodating hole of the box of the holding unit 310. It is also possible to configure the third or fourth accommodated unit so that at least a portion on the Z' direction side (the entire Z' direction portion or the entire Z' direction portion) is accommodated in the accommodating hole of the box of the holding unit 310, and the detection sensor 100 located on the Z' direction side of the third or fourth accommodated unit is accommodated in the accommodating hole of the box of the holding unit 310. It is possible to configure the fifth or sixth accommodated portion such that at least a portion on the Z' direction side (a portion on the Z' direction side or the entirety) is accommodated in the accommodating hole of the box of the holding portion 310, and portions of the detection sensor 100 located on the Z' direction side of the fifth or sixth accommodated portion and the one or more cushion portions 200 located on the Z' direction side of the mounting surface are accommodated in the accommodating hole of the box of the holding portion 310. It is also possible to configure the seventh accommodated portion such that at least a portion on the Z' direction side (a portion on the Z' direction side or the entirety) is accommodated in the accommodating hole of the box of the holding portion 310, and the detection sensor 100 and one or more cushion portions 200 located on the Z' direction side of the seventh accommodated portion are accommodated in the accommodating hole of the box of the holding portion 310. In this case, the Z-Z' direction dimension of the side wall of the retaining portion 310 is approximately the same as or smaller than the Z-Z' direction dimension of the hole H of the attachment target T, the outer shape of the retaining portion 310 as viewed from the Z direction is approximately the same as the shape of the hole H as viewed from the Z direction, and the outer dimensions (projected area) of the retaining portion 310 as viewed from the Z direction can be approximately the same as the dimensions (projected area) of the hole H as viewed from the Z direction. In this case, the retaining portion 310 may fit (FIT IN) into the hole H of the attachment target T in the above attachment state 1, but this is not limited to this.

Note that at least one fixed portion 230 can be omitted. In this case, for example, the unit U1 can be configured to further include an attachment member (not shown). The attachment member is approximately Ω-shaped (approximately L-shaped) when viewed in cross section in the Z-Z' direction, and has a first portion and at least one second portion. The first portion forms the bottom of the approximately Ω-shaped inverted shape and is fixed to the body 300 from the Z' direction side directly or indirectly via an elastic body or the like. When there is only one second portion, the second portion has a cylindrical portion extending in the Z direction from the periphery of the first portion and a flange extending outward from the Z-direction edge of the cylindrical portion, and the flange is fixed to the periphery of the first hole 11 of the housing 10 of the attachment target T from the Z' direction side. When there are multiple second parts, the multiple second parts are generally L-shaped beams that extend in the Z direction from the peripheral edge of the first part and are upside down in cross section in the Z-Z' direction, and are configured to be fixed to the peripheral edge of the first hole 11 of the housing 10 of the attachment target T, similar to the fixed part 230. Alternatively, when the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated part has the configuration (a) above, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated part may be adhered to the bottom surface on the Z' direction side of the bottom of the hole H of the attachment target T and/or the wall surface of the side wall around the hole H, and/or may be fitted (FIT) into the hole H of the attachment target T, thereby attaching the unit U1 to the attachment target T. If the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion has the configuration (a) above, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion may be adhered to the bottom surface on the Z' direction side of the bottom of the hole H of the attachment target T, thereby attaching the unit U1 to the attachment target T. If the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion has the configuration (a) above and the retaining portion 310 is fitted (fit in) into the hole H of the attachment target T, the retaining portion 310 may be fitted (fit in) into the hole H of the attachment target T and/or adhered to the wall surface of the sidewall surrounding the hole H of the attachment target T, thereby attaching the unit U1 to the attachment target T.

When the cover portion 500 is not provided, the design of any of the above-described aspects of the accommodated portion of unit U1 can be modified as desired, as long as at least one cushion portion 200 of the accommodated portion is at least partially accommodated within the hole H of the attachment object T. When the cover portion 500 is provided, the design of any of the above-described aspects of the accommodated portion of unit U1 can be modified as desired, as long as at least one of the cover portion 500 and at least one cushion portion 200 of the accommodated portion is at least partially accommodated within the hole H of the attachment object T.

The unit U1 may further include an external connection portion 400. The external connection portion 400 may be integral with the detection sensor 100 or may be separate. In the former case, the external connection portion 400 includes a lead portion connected to at least one sensor layer 110 of the detection sensor 100 and extending from the sensor layer 110, and a conductive line provided on the lead portion and connected to at least one first electrode 120 or at least one first and second electrode 120 of the detection sensor 100. In the latter case, the external connection portion 400 is formed of a flexible substrate or the like connected to the detection sensor 100. In either case, the external connection portion 400 may be configured to extend from the detection sensor 100 in the Z' direction, passing between the body 300 and the wall of the hole H in the mounting target T, in the above-described mounting state 1, or may be configured to extend from the detection sensor 100 in the Z' direction by penetrating the body 300. If the control unit is provided outside unit U1, the external connection unit 400 is electrically connected to a control unit or the like outside unit U1. Note that the external connection unit 400 can be omitted. In this case, an opening that exposes a portion of the detection sensor 100 may be provided in the body 300, and the detection sensor 100 may be connectable to a control unit or the like outside unit U1 through this opening. Alternatively, if a control unit is provided in unit U1, the detection sensor 100 and the control unit may be electrically connected by the external connection unit 400, or the external connection unit 400 may be omitted and an electrical connection may be made using another connection means.

The above-described mounting structure and unit U1 have the following technical features and effects:

(Technical features and effects 1)
This makes it easy to attach the unit U1 to the attachment object T. This is because at least one cushion portion 200 is provided on the first surface of the detection sensor 100 of the unit U1, and therefore, when attaching the unit U1 to the attachment object T, it is not necessary to attach a cushion portion to the unit U1.

(Technical Features and Effects 2)
When the touch area of the attachment target T is touched by a detection target, at least one cushion portion 200 on the first surface of the detection sensor 100 of the unit U1 is elastically deformed, improving the operational feel when operating the unit U1.

(Technical Features and Effects 3)
When the detection sensor 100 is a capacitive touch sensor, variations in sensitivity of the detection sensor 100 are suppressed when the unit U1 is attached to the attachment target T. The reason for this is as follows. When a capacitive detection sensor is disposed between a housing and a cushion layer, as in conventional examples, the material and/or Z-Z' dimension of the cushion layer are unknown when the detection sensor is manufactured. Therefore, when the detection sensor is disposed between the housing and the cushion layer, the dielectric constant around the detection sensor changes depending on the material and/or Z-Z' dimension of the cushion layer. This causes variations in the sensitivity of the detection sensor. However, because at least one cushion portion 200 is provided on the first surface of the detection sensor 100 of the unit U1, the dielectric constant around the detection sensor 100 can be roughly estimated in advance based on the material and/or Z-Z' dimension of the at least one cushion portion 200, and the sensitivity of the detection sensor 100 can be set accordingly. Furthermore, it becomes possible to select the material and/or Z-Z' dimension of the at least one cushion portion 200 according to the sensitivity of the detection sensor 100.

(Technical Features and Effects 4)
When the cover portion 500 is not provided, the height position of the detection sensor 100 in the Z-Z' direction can be set arbitrarily by changing the dimension in the Z-Z' direction of one or more cushion portions 200 of the unit U1. When the cover portion 500 is provided, the height position of the detection sensor 100 in the Z-Z' direction can be set arbitrarily by changing the sum of the dimension in the Z-Z' direction of one or more cushion portions 200 of the unit U1 and the dimension in the Z-Z' direction of the cover portion 500.

(Technical Features and Effects 5)
If at least one cushion part 200 is waterproof, the waterproofness of the unit U1 is improved because at least one cushion part 200 covers the detection sensor 100 from the Z direction side, and therefore liquids such as water and sweat from the Z direction side are blocked by the at least one cushion part 200, reducing the possibility of them adhering to the detection sensor 100.

(Technical Features and Effects 6)
When at least one exhaust path P is provided, when the second surface of one cushion portion 200 or the lowest cushion portion 200 among the plurality of cushion portions 200 is brought into surface contact with the first surface of the detection sensor 100, air trapped between the second surface of one cushion portion 200 or the lowest cushion portion 200 and the first surface of the detection sensor 100 is discharged to the outside through at least one exhaust path P, thereby reducing the possibility of air remaining trapped between the second surface of one cushion portion 200 or the lowest cushion portion 200 and the first surface of the detection sensor 100.

(Technical Features and Effects 7)
When an external connection part 400 is provided, in the above-mentioned mounting state 1, the external connection part 400 is led out in the Z' direction from the detection sensor 100 through the space between the body 300 and the wall of the hole H of the mounting object T, or the external connection part 400 is led out in the Z' direction from the detection sensor 100 through the body 300, making it easy to connect the detection sensor 100 to the outside.

The mounting structure of the sensor unit U2 (hereinafter also referred to simply as "unit U2") and the mounting target T according to Example 2 of the present invention and its design variations will be described below with reference to Figures 5A to 6C. Figures 5A and 5B show the mounting structure of Example 2. Figure 6A shows a first design variation of unit U2 in the mounting structure of Example 2, Figure 6B shows a second design variation of unit U2 in the mounting structure of Example 2, and Figure 6C shows a third design variation of unit U2 in the mounting structure of Example 2. As with the mounting structures of Example 1 and its design variations, Figures 5A, 5B, and 6A to 6C also show the Z-Z' direction.

The attachment target T is as described in Example 1 and its design variations above (see Figures 5A, 5B, and 3A-3B).

Unit U2 is attached to the attachment target T so that it is partially housed in hole H of the attachment target T from the Z' direction side. Hereinafter, this state in which unit U2 is attached to the attachment target T will be referred to simply as "attachment state 2."

Unit U2 has the same configuration as unit U1, except that it does not have a body 300 and the configuration of the detection sensor 100' of unit U2 differs from the configuration of the detection sensor 100 of unit U1. Below, only these differences will be explained in detail, and any explanation of unit U2 that overlaps with the explanation of unit U1 will be omitted.

The detection sensor 100' of unit U2 has a sensor body 101. The sensor body 101 has a configuration similar to that of any of the detection sensors 100 of unit U1. The sensor body 101 has a first surface on the Z-direction side and a second surface on the Z'-direction side. The first surface of the sensor body 101 can be the same as any of the first surfaces of the detection sensor 100 of unit U1. The first surface of the sensor body 101 is in surface contact or in contact with or bonded to the second surface of one cushion section 200 or the lowest cushion section 200 of the multiple cushion sections 200 via an interlayer member 600. The second surface of the sensor body 101 can be the same as any of the second surfaces of the detection sensor 100 of unit U1.

At least a portion of the sensor body 101 of the detection sensor 100' (i.e., part or all of the sensor body 101) is covered by at least one cushion portion 200. When one or more cushion portions 200 cover part of the sensor body 101, the outer shape of the one or more cushion portions 200 as viewed from the Z direction is arbitrary, and the outer dimensions (projected area) of the one or more cushion portions 200 as viewed from the Z direction are smaller than the outer dimensions (projected area) of the sensor body 101 as viewed from the Z direction. When one or more cushion portions 200 cover the entire sensor body 101, the outer shape of the one or more cushion portions 200 as viewed from the Z direction is substantially the same as the outer shape of the sensor body 101 as viewed from the Z direction, and the outer dimensions (projected area) of the one or more cushion portions 200 as viewed from the Z direction are also substantially the same as the outer dimensions (projected area) of the sensor body 101 as viewed from the Z direction. The Z-Z' direction is the alignment direction of at least one cushion part 200 and the detection sensor 100'.

The detection sensor 100' may further include at least one fixed portion 102. The at least one fixed portion 102 may be one or more. Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, the at least one fixed portion 102, like the at least one sensor layer 110, will also be referred to as "one or each fixed portion 102." The one or each fixed portion 102 is located outward from the sensor body 101 in a direction approximately perpendicular to the Z-Z' direction (hereinafter, this direction will be referred to as the "orthogonal direction"). The one or each fixed portion 102 may be formed as an arm or flange (not shown) extending from the sensor body 101 in the perpendicular direction, or the one fixed portion 102 may be formed as the peripheral portion of the sensor body 101 (see Figures 5A to 6C). In any of these configurations, in the above-described mounting state 2, one or each fixed portion 102 is located on the Z' direction side of the periphery of the first hole 11 in the housing 10 of the mounting object T, and is fixed to the periphery of the first hole 11 in the housing 10 by screwing, gluing, welding, etc.

The or each fixed portion 102 has a mounting surface on the Z direction side that directly or indirectly contacts the periphery of the first hole 11 of the housing 10 of the mounting target T. Hereinafter, when a cover portion 500 is not provided, the height position in the Z-Z' direction of the mounting surface of the or each fixed portion 102 relative to at least one cushion portion 200 is referred to as the "third height position." When a cover portion 500 is provided, the height position in the Z-Z' direction of the mounting surface of the or each fixed portion 102 relative to at least one cushion portion 200 and the cover portion 500 is referred to as the "fourth height position." The third or fourth height position of the mounting surface of the or each fixed portion 102 can be set arbitrarily by increasing the thickness dimension of the or each fixed portion 102 in the Z-Z' direction or by configuring the or each fixed portion 102 to extend in the Z-Z' direction. For example, the third or fourth height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 102 can be (e) approximately the same as the height position in the Z-Z' direction of the first surface of the sensor main body 101, the second surface of one cushion portion 200, or the second surface of the lowest cushion portion 200 (see Figures 5A to 6C), or (f) the height position between the first and second surfaces of one cushion portion 200 in the Z-Z' direction or the height position between the first surface of the top cushion portion 200 and the first surface of the lowest cushion portion 200 in the Z-Z' direction (not shown). Furthermore, the fourth height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 102 can be (g) approximately the same as the height position in the Z-Z' direction of the first surface of one cushion portion 200, the first surface of the top cushion portion 200, or the second surface of the cover portion 500 (not shown).

When the third height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 102 is as described above in (e) and no interlayer member 600 is provided on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface, the portion of unit U2 located on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 102 (i.e., one or more cushion portions 200) becomes the first accommodated portion. When the third height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 102 is as described above in (e) and one or more interlayer members 600 are provided on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface, the first accommodated portion includes the one or more cushion portions 200 as well as the one or more interlayer members 600. If the fourth height position of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 102 is as described above in (e) and no interlayer member 600 is provided on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface, the portion of unit U2 located on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 102 (i.e., one or more cushion portions 200 and cover portion 500) becomes the second accommodated portion. If the fourth height position of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 102 is as described above in (e) and one or more interlayer members 600 are provided on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface, the second accommodated portion includes the one or more cushion portions 200 and cover portions 500 as well as the one or more interlayer members 600.

When the third height position of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 102 is as described above (f) and no interlayer member 600 is provided on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface, the portion of unit U2 located on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 102 (i.e., the portion located on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface of one or more cushion portions 200) becomes the third accommodated portion. When the third height position of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 102 is as described above (f) and one or more interlayer members 600 are provided on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface, the third accommodated portion includes the one or more interlayer members 600 in addition to the portion located on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface of one or more cushion portions 200. When the fourth height position of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 102 is as described above in (f) and no interlayer member 600 is provided on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface, the portion of unit U2 located on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 102 (i.e., the portion of one or more cushion portions 200 located on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface and the cover portion 500) becomes the fourth accommodated portion. When the fourth height position of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 102 is as described above in (f) and one or more interlayer members 600 are provided on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface, the fourth accommodated portion includes the one or more interlayer members 600 in addition to the portion of one or more cushion portions 200 located on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface and the cover portion 500.

When the fourth height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed part 102 is (g) above and no interlayer member 600 is provided on the Z direction side of the mounting surface, the portion of unit U2 located on the Z direction side of the mounting surface of one or each fixed part 102 (i.e., the cover part 500) becomes the fifth accommodated part. When the fourth height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed part 102 is (g) above and one or more interlayer members 600 are provided on the Z direction side of the mounting surface, the fifth accommodated part includes the one or more interlayer members 600 in addition to the cover part 500.

When the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 102 directly contacts the periphery of the first hole 11 in the housing 10 of the mounting target T, the Z-Z' direction dimension of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion is approximately the same as the Z-Z' direction dimension of the hole H in the mounting target T. When the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 102 indirectly contacts the periphery of the first hole 11 in the housing 10 of the mounting target T via another member such as an elastic body, the sum of the Z-Z' direction dimension of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion and the Z-Z' direction dimension of the other member is approximately the same as the Z-Z' direction dimension of the hole H in the mounting target T. Furthermore, the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion of unit U2 further has the following configuration (c) or (d).

(c) The outer shape of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion as viewed from the Z direction is substantially the same as the shape of the hole H as viewed from the Z direction, and the dimensions (projected area) of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion as viewed from the Z direction are also substantially the same as the dimensions (projected area) of the hole H as viewed from the Z direction. In the above-described mounting state 2, the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion is fitted (FIT IN) into the hole H of the mounting object T (see FIG. 5A). In this fitted state, the surface of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion of unit U2 closest to the Z direction (the first surface of one cushion portion 200, the first surface of the top cushion portion 200, or the first surface of the cover portion 500) abuts against the surface of the bottom of the hole H on the Z' direction side.

(d) The outer shape of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion as viewed from the Z direction is substantially the same as or different from the shape of the hole H as viewed from the Z direction, and the dimension (projected area) of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion as viewed from the Z direction is smaller than the dimension (projected area) of the hole H as viewed from the Z direction. The first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion is accommodated in the hole H of the attachment target T in the above-mentioned attachment state 2. In this accommodation state, the surface furthest in the Z direction of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion of unit U2 (the first surface of one cushion portion 200, the first surface of the uppermost cushion portion 200, or the first surface of the cover portion 500) abuts against the surface of the bottom of the hole H on the Z' direction side.

In addition, the outer surface layer 30 that forms the bottom of the hole H on the Z-direction side, or the bottom 21a and outer surface layer 30, are flexible. Therefore, when the touch area at the bottom of the hole H is touched by the detection object, the bottom bends, elastically deforming at least one cushion portion 200 of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion.

When the third or fourth accommodated portion is fitted or accommodated in the hole H as described above, the portion of one or more cushion portions 200 that is located on the Z' side of the mounting surface is located on the Z' side of the hole H. When the fifth accommodated portion is fitted or accommodated in the hole H as described above, the entire one or more cushion portions 200 is located on the Z' side of the hole H.

At least one fixed portion 102 can be omitted. In this case, for example, unit U2 can be configured to further include an attachment member (not shown). The attachment member of unit U2 has the same configuration as the attachment member of unit U1, except that its first portion is fixed not to body 300 but to sensor main body 101 of detection sensor 100' from the Z' direction side directly or indirectly via an elastic body or the like. Alternatively, if the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion has the configuration (c) above, unit U2 may be attached to attachment target T by adhering the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion to the bottom surface on the Z' direction side of the bottom of hole H of attachment target T and/or the wall surface of the sidewall around hole H and/or fitting (FIT) into hole H of attachment target T. If the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion has the configuration (d) above, the unit U2 may be attached to the attachment object T by adhering the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion to the bottom surface on the Z' direction side of the bottom of the hole H in the attachment object T.

When the cover portion 500 is not provided, the design of any of the above-described aspects of the accommodated portion of unit U2 can be modified as desired, as long as at least one cushion portion 200 of the accommodated portion is at least partially accommodated within the hole H of the attachment object T. When the cover portion 500 is provided, the design of any of the above-described aspects of the accommodated portion of unit U2 can be modified as desired, as long as at least one of the cover portion 500 and at least one cushion portion 200 of the accommodated portion is at least partially accommodated within the hole H of the attachment object T.

The above-described mounting structure and unit U2 achieve the above-described (Technical Features and Effects 1) to (Technical Features and Effects 3) and (Technical Features and Effects 5) to (Technical Features and Effects 6) of unit U1.

Furthermore, when the cover portion 500 is not provided, the height position in the Z-Z' direction of the sensor main body 101 of the detection sensor 100' can be set as desired by changing the Z-Z' direction dimension of one or more cushion portions 200 of unit U2. When the cover portion 500 is provided, the height position in the Z-Z' direction of the sensor main body 101 of the detection sensor 100' can be set as desired by changing the sum of the Z-Z' direction dimension of one or more cushion portions 200 of unit U2 and the Z-Z' direction dimension of the cover portion 500.

Furthermore, when the external connection part 400 is provided, in the above-mentioned mounting state 2, the external connection part 400 is led out in the Z' direction from the detection sensor 100' through the gap between the detection sensor 100' and the wall of the hole H in the mounting object T, making it easy to connect the detection sensor 100' to the outside.

The mounting structure of the sensor unit U3 (hereinafter also referred to simply as "unit U3") and the mounting target T according to Example 3 of the present invention and its design variations will be described below with reference to Figures 7A to 8B. Figures 7A and 7B show the mounting structure of Example 3. Figure 8A shows a first design variation of unit U3 in the mounting structure of Example 3, and Figure 8B shows a second design variation of unit U3 in the mounting structure of Example 3. As with the mounting structures of Example 1 and its design variations, Figures 7A, 7B, 8A, and 8B also show the Z-Z' direction.

The attachment target T is as described in Example 1 and its design variations above (see Figures 7A, 7B, and 3A-3B).

Unit U3 is attached to the attachment target T so that it is partially housed in hole H of the attachment target T from the Z' direction side. Hereinafter, this state in which unit U3 is attached to the attachment target T will be referred to simply as "attachment state 3."

Unit U3 has the same configuration as unit U1, except that it further includes at least one intermediate section 700. Below, only these differences will be explained in detail, and any explanation of unit U3 that overlaps with the explanation of unit U1 will be omitted.

The at least one intermediate portion 700 may be one or more. Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, the at least one intermediate portion 700 will also be referred to as "one or each intermediate portion 700," similar to the at least one sensor layer 110. The one or each intermediate portion 700 may be, but is not limited to, a support layer, a hard coat layer, or an optical adjustment layer (such as a polarizing plate, a retardation plate, a light-collecting material, or a light-diffusing material). The support layer may be, but is not limited to, a flat glass plate, a resin film or resin sheet, or a shaped resin molded product. The hard coat layer or support layer may or may not be decorated.

At least one intermediate portion 700 is disposed between the detection sensor 100 and at least one cushion portion 200. When there is only one at least one intermediate portion 700 (see Figures 7A to 8B), the intermediate portion 700 has a first surface on the Z-direction side and a second surface on the Z'-direction side. The first surface of the intermediate portion 700 may be in surface contact with the second surface of one cushion portion 200 or the lowest cushion portion 200 of the multiple cushion portions 200. Alternatively, the first surface of the intermediate portion 700 and the second surface of one cushion portion 200 or the lowest cushion portion 200 may be in contact via an interlayer member 600. When the interlayer member 600 is an adhesive layer or double-sided tape, the first surface of the intermediate portion 700, the first surface of the intermediate portion 700, and the second surface of one cushion portion 200 or the lowest cushion portion 200 are bonded together by the interlayer member 600. The second surface of one intermediate section 700 may be in surface contact with the first surface of the detection sensor 100. Alternatively, the second surface of one intermediate section 700 and the first surface of the detection sensor 100 may be in contact via an interlayer member 600. If the interlayer member 600 is an adhesive layer or double-sided tape, the second surface of one intermediate section 700 and the first surface of the detection sensor 100 are bonded together by the interlayer member 600.

When there are multiple intermediate portions 700 (not shown), the multiple intermediate portions 700 are stacked in the Z-Z' direction. The multiple intermediate portions 700 include an uppermost intermediate portion 700 closest to the Z direction and a lowermost intermediate portion 700 closest to the Z' direction. The uppermost intermediate portion 700 has a first surface facing the Z direction. The lowermost intermediate portion 700 has a second surface facing the Z' direction. The first surface of the uppermost intermediate portion 700, like one intermediate portion 700, is in surface contact or is bonded to the second surface of one cushion portion 200 or the lowermost cushion portion 200 of the multiple cushion portions 200, via an interlayer member 600. The second surface of the lowermost intermediate portion 700, like one intermediate portion 700, is in surface contact or is bonded to the first surface of the detection sensor 100 via an interlayer member 600.

The multiple intermediate portions 700 include at least one set of two intermediate portions 700 adjacent to each other in the Z-Z' direction. Hereinafter, of these two adjacent intermediate portions 700, the intermediate portion 700 located on the Z-direction side will be referred to as the first intermediate portion 700, and the intermediate portion 700 located on the Z'-direction side will be referred to as the second intermediate portion 700. The first intermediate portion 700 and the second intermediate portion 700 may be in surface contact with each other, or may be in contact via the interlayer member 600. When the interlayer member 600 is an adhesive layer or double-sided tape, the first intermediate portion 700 and the second intermediate portion 700 are bonded together by the interlayer member 600. When there are two multiple intermediate portions 700, the first intermediate portion 700 is the uppermost intermediate portion 700, and the second intermediate portion 700 is the lowermost intermediate portion 700. When there are three or more intermediate portions 700, the first intermediate portion 700 is the uppermost intermediate portion 700, the second intermediate portion 700 is the intermediate portion 700 located on the Z'-direction side of the uppermost intermediate portion 700, the second intermediate portion 700 is the lowermost intermediate portion 700, and the first intermediate portion 700 is the intermediate portion 700 located on the Z-direction side of the lowermost intermediate portion 700, or the first and second intermediate portions 700 are intermediate portions 700 between the lowermost intermediate portion 700 and the lowermost intermediate portion 700.

The outer shape of one or more intermediate sections 700 as viewed from the Z direction side can be approximately the same as the outer shape of the detection sensor 100 as viewed from the Z direction side, and the outer dimensions (projected area) of one or more intermediate sections 700 as viewed from the Z direction side can also be approximately the same as the outer dimensions (projected area) of the detection sensor 100 as viewed from the Z direction side, and/or the outer shape of one or more intermediate sections 700 as viewed from the Z direction side can be approximately the same as the outer shape of at least one cushion section 200 as viewed from the Z direction side, and the outer dimensions (projected area) of one or more intermediate sections 700 as viewed from the Z direction side can also be approximately the same as the outer dimensions (projected area) of at least one cushion section 200 as viewed from the Z direction side.

If the unit U3 has at least one exhaust path P, the at least one exhaust path P may be provided on at least one of the second surface of one intermediate section 700 or the lowest intermediate section 700 and the first surface of the detection sensor 100, and may be configured to be open to the at least one surface and to a side surface abutting the at least one surface. For example, the at least one exhaust path P may be a through-hole (not shown) or groove (see FIG. 4B ) extending along the at least one surface, open to the at least one surface (in at least one of the Z direction and Z' direction), and open to a side surface abutting the at least one surface. If the detection sensor 100 has the above-mentioned surface treatment portion, the at least one exhaust path P may be a through-hole or groove provided on the first surface of the surface treatment portion of the detection sensor 100.

When an interlayer member 600 is interposed between the second surface of one intermediate section 700 or the lowest intermediate section 700 and the first surface of the detection sensor 100, at least one exhaust path P can be a through-hole or groove provided in the interlayer member 600, and can be configured to open to at least one of the second surface of one intermediate section 700 or the lowest intermediate section 700 and the first surface of the detection sensor 100, and also to open to a side surface of the interlayer member 600. Note that even when an interlayer member 600 is provided, at least one exhaust path P can be provided outside the interlayer member 600, as described above.

There may be multiple exhaust passages P as described above. Note that at least one exhaust passage P may be omitted.

Hereinafter, when at least one fixed portion 320 is provided on the body 300 of unit U3 but no cover portion 500 is provided, the height position in the Z-Z' direction of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 of the body 300 relative to at least one intermediate portion 700 and at least one cushion portion 200 is referred to as the "fifth height position." When at least one fixed portion 320 and a cover portion 500 are provided on the body 300 of unit U3, the height position in the Z-Z' direction of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 of the body 300 relative to at least one intermediate portion 700, at least one cushion portion 200, and cover portion 500 is referred to as the "sixth height position." The fifth or sixth height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 can be set arbitrarily by increasing the thickness dimension of one or each fixed portion 320 in the Z-Z' direction or by configuring one or each fixed portion 320 to extend in the Z-Z' direction. For example, the fifth or sixth height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 can be the height position (a), (b), or (c) above. Furthermore, the sixth height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 can also be the height position (d) above.

When the fifth height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 is as described above in (a) and no interlayer member 600 is provided on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface, the portion of unit U3 located on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 (i.e., the detection sensor 100, one or more intermediate portions 700, and one or more cushion portions 200) becomes the first accommodated portion (see Figures 7A and 7B). When the fifth height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 is as described above in (a) and one or more interlayer members 600 are provided on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface, the first accommodated portion includes the detection sensor 100, one or more intermediate portions 700, and one or more cushion portions 200, as well as the one or more interlayer members 600. When the sixth height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 is as described above in (a) and no interlayer member 600 is provided on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface, the portion of unit U3 located on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 (i.e., the detection sensor 100, one or more intermediate portions 700, one or more cushion portions 200, and the cover portion 500) becomes the second accommodated portion (see Figures 8A and 8B). When the sixth height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 is as described above in (a) and one or more interlayer members 600 are provided on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface, the second accommodated portion includes the detection sensor 100, one or more intermediate portions 700, one or more cushion portions 200, and the cover portion 500, as well as the one or more interlayer members 600.

When the fifth height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 is as described above in (b) and no interlayer member 600 is provided on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface, the portion of unit U3 located on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 (i.e., one or more intermediate portions 700 and one or more cushion portions 200) becomes the third accommodated portion. When the fifth height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 is as described above in (b) and one or more interlayer members 600 are provided on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface, the third accommodated portion includes the one or more intermediate portions 700, one or more cushion portions 200, and the one or more interlayer members 600. When the sixth height position of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 320 is as described above in (b) and no interlayer member 600 is provided on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface, the portion of unit U3 located on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 320 (i.e., one or more intermediate portions 700, one or more cushion portions 200, and cover portion 500) becomes the fourth accommodated portion. When the sixth height position of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 320 is as described above in (b) and one or more interlayer members 600 are provided on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface, the fourth accommodated portion includes the one or more intermediate portions 700, one or more cushion portions 200, and cover portion 500, as well as the one or more interlayer members 600.

When the fifth height position of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 320 is as described above in (c) and no interlayer member 600 is provided on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface, the portion of unit U3 located on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 320 (i.e., the portion located on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface of one or more cushion portions 200) becomes the fifth accommodated portion. When the fifth height position of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 320 is as described above in (c) and one or more interlayer members 600 are provided on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface, the fifth accommodated portion includes the one or more interlayer members 600 in addition to the portion located on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface of one or more cushion portions 200. When the sixth height position of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 320 is as described above in (c) and no interlayer member 600 is provided on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface, the portion of unit U3 that is located on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 320 (i.e., the portion of one or more cushion portions 200 that is located on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface and the cover portion 500) becomes the sixth accommodated portion. When the sixth height position of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 320 is as described above in (c) and one or more interlayer members 600 are provided on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface, the sixth accommodated portion includes the one or more interlayer members 600 in addition to the portion of one or more cushion portions 200 that is located on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface and the cover portion 500.

When the sixth height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed part 320 is as described above in (d) and no interlayer member 600 is provided on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface, the portion of unit U3 located on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface of one or each fixed part 320 (i.e., the cover part 500) becomes the seventh accommodated part. When the sixth height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed part 320 is as described above in (d) and one or more interlayer members 600 are provided on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface, the seventh accommodated part includes the one or more interlayer members 600 in addition to the cover part 500.

When the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 directly contacts the periphery of the first hole 11 in the housing 10 of the mounting target T, the Z-Z' direction dimension of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion of unit U3 is approximately the same as the Z-Z' direction dimension of hole H in the mounting target T. When the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 320 indirectly contacts the periphery of the first hole 11 in the housing 10 of the mounting target T via another member such as an elastic body, the sum of the Z-Z' direction dimension of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion and the Z-Z' direction dimension of the other member is approximately the same as the Z-Z' direction dimension of hole H in the mounting target T. The first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion of unit U3 further has the following configuration (e) or (f).

(E) The outer shape of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion as viewed from the Z direction is substantially the same as the shape of the hole H as viewed from the Z direction, and the outer dimensions (projected area) of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion as viewed from the Z direction are also substantially the same as the dimensions (projected area) of the hole H as viewed from the Z direction. In the above-described mounting state 3, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion is fitted (FIT IN) into the hole H of the mounting object T (see FIG. 7A). In this fitted state, the Z-most surface of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion of unit U3 (the first surface of one cushion portion 200, the first surface of the top cushion portion 200, or the first surface of the cover portion 500) abuts against the Z'-direction surface of the bottom of the hole H.

(f) The outer shape of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion as viewed from the Z direction is substantially the same as or different from the shape of the hole H as viewed from the Z direction, and the outer dimensions (projected area) of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion as viewed from the Z direction are smaller than the dimensions (projected area) of the hole H as viewed from the Z direction. The first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion is accommodated in the hole H of the attachment target T in the above-mentioned attachment state 3. In this accommodation state, the surface of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion of unit U3 closest to the Z direction (the first surface of one cushion portion 200, the first surface of the top cushion portion 200, or the first surface of the cover portion 500) abuts against the surface of the bottom of the hole H on the Z' direction side.

In addition, the outer surface layer 30 that forms the bottom of the hole H on the Z-direction side, or the bottom 21a and outer surface layer 30, are flexible. Therefore, when the touch area at the bottom of the hole H is touched by the detection object, the bottom bends, elastically deforming at least one cushion portion 200 of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion.

When the third or fourth accommodated portion is fitted or housed in the hole H as described above, the entire detection sensor 100 is located on the Z' side of the hole H. When the fifth or sixth accommodated portion is fitted or housed in the hole H as described above, the entire detection sensor 100, the entire one or more intermediate portions 700, and the portions of the one or more cushion portions 200 that are located on the Z' side of the mounting surface are located on the Z' side of the hole H. When the seventh accommodated portion is fitted or housed in the hole H as described above, the entire detection sensor 100, the entire one or more intermediate portions 700, and the entire one or more cushion portions 200 are located on the Z' side of the hole H.

When the holding unit 310 is configured as a box, the detection sensor 100 located on the Z' side of the third or fourth accommodated unit, the detection sensor 100 located on the Z' side of the fifth or sixth accommodated unit, one or more intermediate units 700, and one or more cushion units 200 located on the Z' side of the mounting surface, or the detection sensor 100 located on the Z' side of the seventh accommodated unit, one or more intermediate units 700, and one or more cushion units 200, can be configured to be housed in the housing hole of the box of the holding unit 310.

Alternatively, when the holding unit 310 is configured as a box and the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh accommodated unit has the configuration (f) above, it is possible to configure the first or second accommodated unit so that at least a portion on the Z' direction side (the entire Z' direction portion or the entire Z' direction portion) is accommodated within the accommodation hole of the box of the holding unit 310. It is also possible to configure the third or fourth accommodated unit so that at least a portion on the Z' direction side (the entire Z' direction portion or the entire Z' direction portion) is accommodated within the accommodation hole of the box of the holding unit 310, and the detection sensor 100 located on the Z' direction side of the third or fourth accommodated unit is accommodated within the accommodation hole of the box of the holding unit 310. It is possible to configure the fifth or sixth accommodated portion such that at least a portion on the Z' direction side (a portion on the Z' direction side or the entirety) is accommodated in the accommodating hole of the box of the holding portion 310, and portions of the detection sensor 100, the one or more intermediate portions 700, and the one or more cushion portions 200 located on the Z' direction side of the mounting surface are accommodated in the accommodating hole of the box of the holding portion 310. It is also possible to configure the seventh accommodated portion such that at least a portion on the Z' direction side (a portion on the Z' direction side or the entirety) is accommodated in the accommodating hole of the box of the holding portion 310, and portions of the detection sensor 100, the one or more intermediate portions 700, and the one or more cushion portions 200 located on the Z' direction side of the seventh accommodated portion are accommodated in the accommodating hole of the box of the holding portion 310. In this case, the Z-Z' direction dimension of the side wall of the retaining portion 310 is approximately the same as or smaller than the Z-Z' direction dimension of the hole H of the attachment target T, the outer shape of the retaining portion 310 as viewed from the Z direction is approximately the same as the shape of the hole H as viewed from the Z direction, and the outer dimensions (projected area) of the retaining portion 310 as viewed from the Z direction can be approximately the same as the dimensions (projected area) of the hole H as viewed from the Z direction. In this case, the retaining portion 310 may fit (FIT IN) into the hole H of the attachment target T in attachment state 3 above, but is not limited to this.

At least one fixed part 230 may be provided on at least one intermediate part 700 rather than on the body 300. In this case, the at least one fixed part 230 may have any of the above configurations, except that it is provided on at least one intermediate part 700.

In addition, if at least one fixed portion 230 is omitted, for example, unit U3 can be configured to further include an attachment member (not shown). The attachment member of unit U3 may have the same configuration as the attachment member of unit U1. If the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion has the configuration (e) above, unit U3 may be attached to attachment object T by adhering the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion to the bottom surface on the Z' direction side of the bottom of hole H of attachment object T and/or the wall surface of the side wall around hole H and/or fitting (FIT) into hole H of attachment object T. If the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion has the configuration (f) above, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion may be adhered to the bottom surface on the Z' direction side of the bottom of the hole H of the attachment target T, thereby attaching the unit U3 to the attachment target T. If the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion has the configuration (f) above and the retaining portion 310 is fitted (fit in) into the hole H of the attachment target T, the retaining portion 310 may be fitted (fit in) into the hole H of the attachment target T and/or adhered to the wall surface of the sidewall surrounding the hole H of the attachment target T, thereby attaching the unit U3 to the attachment target T.

When the cover portion 500 is not provided, the design of any of the above-described aspects of the accommodated portion of unit U3 can be modified as desired, as long as at least one cushion portion 200 of the accommodated portion is at least partially accommodated within the hole H of the attachment object T. When the cover portion 500 is provided, the design of any of the above-described aspects of the accommodated portion of unit U3 can be modified as desired, as long as at least one of the cover portion 500 and at least one cushion portion 200 of the accommodated portion is at least partially accommodated within the hole H of the attachment object T.

The above-described mounting structure and unit U3 achieve the above-described (Technical Features and Effects 1) to (Technical Features and Effects 3) and (Technical Features and Effects 5) to (Technical Features and Effects 7) of unit U1.

Furthermore, when the cover section 500 is not provided, the height position of the detection sensor 100 in the Z-Z' direction can be set as desired by changing the sum of the Z-Z' direction dimension of one or more intermediate sections 700 of unit U3 and the Z-Z' direction dimension of one or more cushion sections 200. When the cover section 500 is provided, the height position of the detection sensor 100 in the Z-Z' direction can be set as desired by changing the Z-Z' direction dimension of one or more intermediate sections 700 of unit U3, the Z-Z' direction dimension of one or more cushion sections 200, and the Z-Z' direction dimension of the cover section 500.

The mounting structure of the sensor unit U4 (hereinafter also referred to simply as "unit U4") and the mounting target T according to Example 4 of the present invention and its design variations will be described below with reference to Figures 9A to 10B. Figures 9A and 9B show the mounting structure of Example 4. Figure 10A shows a first design variation of unit U4 in the mounting structure of Example 4, and Figure 10B shows a second design variation of unit U4 in the mounting structure of Example 4. As with the mounting structures of Example 2 and its design variations, Figures 9A, 9B, 10A, and 10B also show the Z-Z' direction.

The attachment target T is as described in Example 1 and its design variations above (see Figures 9A, 9B, and 3A-3B).

Unit U4 is attached to the attachment target T so that it is partially housed in hole H of the attachment target T from the Z' direction side. Hereinafter, this state in which unit U4 is attached to the attachment target T will be referred to simply as "attachment state 4."

Unit U4 has the same configuration as unit U2, except that it further includes at least one intermediate section 700. Below, only these differences will be explained in detail, and any explanation of unit U4 that overlaps with the explanation of unit U2 will be omitted.

At least one intermediate section 700 of unit U4 may have a configuration similar to at least one intermediate section 700 of unit U3. If unit U4 has at least one exhaust path P, at least one exhaust path P of unit U4 may have a configuration similar to at least one exhaust path P of unit U3. At least one exhaust path P of unit U4 may also be omitted.

Hereinafter, when at least one fixed portion 102 of the detection sensor 100' of unit U4 is provided but no cover portion 500 is provided, the height position in the Z-Z' direction relative to at least one intermediate portion 700 and at least one cushion portion 200 of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 102 of the detection sensor 100' of unit U4 is referred to as the "seventh height position." When at least one fixed portion 102 and a cover portion 500 of the detection sensor 100' of unit U4 are provided, the height position in the Z-Z' direction relative to at least one intermediate portion 700, at least one cushion portion 200, and cover portion 500 of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 102 of the detection sensor 100' of unit U4 is referred to as the "eighth height position." The seventh or eighth height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 102 can be set arbitrarily by increasing the thickness dimension of one or each fixed portion 102 in the Z-Z' direction or by configuring one or each fixed portion 102 to extend in the Z-Z' direction. For example, the seventh or eighth height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 102 can be the height position (e) or (f) above. Furthermore, the eighth height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 102 can also be the height position (g) above.

When the seventh height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 102 is as described above in (e) and no interlayer member 600 is provided on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface, the portion of unit U4 located on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 102 (i.e., one or more intermediate portions 700 and one or more cushion portions 200) becomes the first accommodated portion. When the seventh height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 102 is as described above in (e) and one or more interlayer members 600 are provided on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface, the first accommodated portion includes the one or more intermediate portions 700, one or more cushion portions 200, and the one or more interlayer members 600. When the eighth height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 102 is as described above in (e) and no interlayer member 600 is provided on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface, the portion of unit U4 located on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 102 (i.e., one or more intermediate portions 700, one or more cushion portions 200, and cover portion 500) becomes the second accommodated portion. When the eighth height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 102 is as described above in (e) and one or more interlayer members 600 are provided on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface, the second accommodated portion includes the one or more intermediate portions 700, one or more cushion portions 200, and cover portion 500, as well as the one or more interlayer members 600.

When the seventh height position of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 102 is as described above (f) and no interlayer member 600 is provided on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface, the portion of unit U4 located on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 102 (i.e., the portion located on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface of one or more cushion portions 200) becomes the third accommodated portion. When the seventh height position of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 102 is as described above (f) and one or more interlayer members 600 are provided on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface, the third accommodated portion includes the one or more interlayer members 600 in addition to the portion located on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface of one or more cushion portions 200. When the eighth height position of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 102 is as described above in (f) and no interlayer member 600 is provided on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface, the portion of unit U4 that is located on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 102 (i.e., the portion of one or more cushion portions 200 that is located on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface and the cover portion 500) becomes the fourth accommodated portion. When the eighth height position of the attachment surface of one or each fixed portion 102 is as described above in (f) and one or more interlayer members 600 are provided on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface, the fourth accommodated portion includes the one or more interlayer members 600 in addition to the portion of one or more cushion portions 200 that is located on the Z-direction side of the attachment surface and the cover portion 500.

When the eighth height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed part 102 is (g) above and no interlayer member 600 is provided on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface, the portion of unit U4 located on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface of one or each fixed part 102 (i.e., the cover part 500) becomes the fifth accommodated part. When the eighth height position of the mounting surface of one or each fixed part 102 is (g) above and one or more interlayer members 600 are provided on the Z-direction side of the mounting surface, the fifth accommodated part includes the one or more interlayer members 600 in addition to the cover part 500.

When the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 102 directly contacts the periphery of the first hole 11 in the housing 10 of the mounting target T, the dimension of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion in the Z-Z' direction is approximately the same as the dimension of the hole H in the mounting target T in the Z-Z' direction. When the mounting surface of one or each fixed portion 102 indirectly contacts the periphery of the first hole 11 in the housing 10 of the mounting target T via another member such as an elastic body, the sum of the dimension of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion in the Z-Z' direction and the dimension of the other member in the Z-Z' direction is approximately the same as the dimension of the hole H in the mounting target T in the Z-Z' direction. Furthermore, the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion of unit U4 has the following configuration (g) or (h).

(G) The outer shape of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion as viewed from the Z direction is substantially the same as the shape of the hole H as viewed from the Z direction, and the outer dimensions (projected area) of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion as viewed from the Z direction are also substantially the same as the dimensions (projected area) of the hole H as viewed from the Z direction. In the above-described mounting state 4, the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion is fitted (FIT IN) into the hole H of the mounting object T (see FIG. 9A). In this fitted state, the surface of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion of unit U4 closest to the Z direction (the first surface of one cushion portion 200, the first surface of the top cushion portion 200, or the first surface of the cover portion 500) abuts against the surface of the bottom of the hole H on the Z' direction side.

(h) The outer shape of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion as viewed from the Z direction is substantially the same as or different from the shape of the hole H as viewed from the Z direction, and the outer dimensions (projected area) of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion as viewed from the Z direction are smaller than the dimensions (projected area) of the hole H as viewed from the Z direction. The first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion is accommodated in the hole H of the attachment target T in the above-mentioned attachment state 4. In this accommodation state, the surface of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion of unit U4 closest to the Z direction (the first surface of one cushion portion 200, the first surface of the top cushion portion 200, or the first surface of the cover portion 500) abuts against the surface of the bottom of the hole H on the Z' direction side.

In addition, the outer surface layer 30 that forms the bottom of the hole H on the Z-direction side, or the bottom 21a and outer surface layer 30, are flexible. Therefore, when the touch area at the bottom of the hole H is touched by the detection object, the bottom bends, elastically deforming at least one cushion portion 200 of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion.

When the third or fourth accommodated portion is fitted or accommodated in the hole H as described above, the entire one or more intermediate portions 700 and the portion of the one or more cushion portions 200 located on the Z' side of the mounting surface are located on the Z' side of the hole H. When the fifth accommodated portion is fitted or accommodated in the hole H as described above, the entire one or more intermediate portions 700 and the entire one or more cushion portions 200 are located on the Z' side of the hole H.

At least one fixed portion 102 may be provided on at least one intermediate portion 700 rather than on the detection sensor 100'. In this case, the at least one fixed portion 102 may have any of the above configurations, except that it is provided on at least one intermediate portion 700.

Note that at least one fixed portion 102 can be omitted. In this case, for example, unit U4 can be configured to further include an attachment member (not shown). The attachment member of unit U4 may have the same configuration as the attachment member of unit U2. Alternatively, if the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion has the configuration (g) above, unit U4 may be attached to the attachment target T by adhering the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion to the bottom surface on the Z'-direction side of the bottom of hole H of the attachment target T and/or the wall surface of the sidewall around hole H and/or fitting (fitting) into hole H of the attachment target T. If the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion has the configuration (h) above, unit U4 may be attached to the attachment target T by adhering the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth accommodated portion to the bottom surface on the Z'-direction side of the bottom of hole H of the attachment target T.

When the cover portion 500 is not provided, the design of any of the above-described aspects of the accommodated portion of unit U3 can be modified as desired, as long as at least one cushion portion 200 of the accommodated portion is at least partially accommodated within the hole H of the attachment object T. When the cover portion 500 is provided, the design of any of the above-described aspects of the accommodated portion of unit U3 can be modified as desired, as long as at least one of the cover portion 500 and at least one cushion portion 200 of the accommodated portion is at least partially accommodated within the hole H of the attachment object T.

The above-described mounting structure and unit U4 achieve the above-described (Technical Features and Effects 1) to (Technical Features and Effects 3) and (Technical Features and Effects 5) to (Technical Features and Effects 6) of unit U1.

Furthermore, when the cover section 500 is not provided, the height position of the detection sensor 100' in the Z-Z' direction can be set as desired by changing the sum of the Z-Z' direction dimension of one or more intermediate sections 700 of unit U4 and the Z-Z' direction dimension of one or more cushion sections 200. When the cover section 500 is provided, the height position of the detection sensor 100' in the Z-Z' direction can be set as desired by changing the Z-Z' direction dimension of one or more intermediate sections 700 of unit U4 and the sum of the Z-Z' direction dimension of one or more cushion sections 200 and the Z-Z' direction dimension of the cover section 500.

Furthermore, when the external connection part 400 is provided, in the above-mentioned mounting state 4, the external connection part 400 is led out in the Z' direction from the detection sensor 100' through the gap between the detection sensor 100' and the wall of the hole H in the mounting object T, making it easy to connect the detection sensor 100' to the outside.

The mounting structure and sensor unit described above are not limited to the above examples, and can be freely modified within the scope of the claims. This is described in more detail below.

If unit U1 or U3 is equipped with a control unit, the body 300 of unit U1 or U3 can be configured to hold a control board on which the control unit is mounted, or the body 300 can be configured to have the control unit mounted thereon. If unit U2 or U4 is equipped with a control unit, the control unit can be mounted on at least one sensor layer of the detection sensor of unit U2 or U4, or the detection sensor can be configured to hold a control board on which the control unit is mounted.

The body 300 or the mounting member can also be configured to hold an illumination unit such as an LED that emits light in the Z direction. In mounting state 1 or 3 above, light from the illumination unit is irradiated onto the touch area. The body 300 or the mounting member can also hold a polarizing plate, retardation plate, light collecting material, light diffusing material, etc., located on the Z direction side of the illumination unit. The body 300 or the mounting member can also be configured to hold a vibration unit. In this case, when the control unit determines that a touch to be detected has occurred on the touch area in any of the above ways, it can drive the vibration unit to vibrate the unit in any of the above modes. Furthermore, the body 300 or the mounting member can also be configured to hold a pressing mechanism.

At least one of the at least one cushion portion 200, the cover portion 500, and the at least one intermediate portion 700 may be provided with a printed layer having one or more translucent portions forming icons or the like. The one or more translucent portions are located on the Z-direction side of an illumination portion provided on the body 300 or the mounting member or an illumination portion provided within the housing, and are translucent to allow light emitted from the illumination portion to pass through. The detection sensor 100 is located between the one or more translucent portions and the illumination portion in the Z-Z' direction, and is translucent to allow light emitted from the illumination portion to pass through.

The mounting object of any of the above-described embodiments can be designed in any manner as long as it has at least a hole opening in the Z' direction. For example, hole H can be a through-hole that penetrates mounting object T in the Z-Z' direction and opens in both the Z' and Z directions. In this case, the bottom of hole H is omitted. In this case, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion of the unit of any of the above-described embodiments is accommodated within hole H, as described above. The Z-Z' direction dimension of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh accommodated portion of the unit of any of the above-described embodiments may be approximately the same as, smaller than, or larger than the Z-Z' direction dimension of hole H of mounting object T. In other words, the surface closest to the Z direction of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh accommodated portion of the unit of any of the above aspects may be flush with the Z direction surface of the periphery of the hole H, may be located on the Z′ direction side of the Z direction surface of the periphery of the hole H, or may be located on the Z direction side. In the case where the Z direction surface of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh accommodated portion of the unit of any of the above aspects is located on the Z direction side of the Z direction surface of the periphery of the hole H and the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh accommodated portion includes a cover portion 500, the cover portion 500 may be located on the Z direction side of the hole H, and at least a portion of at least one cushion portion 200 of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh accommodated portion may be accommodated in the hole H. The attachment target T does not have a touch area; instead, the surface closest to the Z direction of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh housing portion of any of the above-described units has a touch area.

The accommodated portion of the unit in any of the above embodiments can be designed in any way as long as it is positioned in the Z direction relative to the fixed surface or the Z direction surface of the second part of the mounting member in any of the above embodiments and is partially accommodated in the hole of the mounting object in any of the above embodiments from the Z' direction side. The Z-Z' dimension of the accommodated portion can be determined by appropriately adjusting the Z-Z' dimension of each element that makes up the accommodated portion.

The first direction of the present invention can be set arbitrarily as long as it is the direction in which at least one cushion portion and the detection sensor of the present invention are aligned. The orthogonal direction of the present invention can be set arbitrarily as long as it is approximately orthogonal to the first direction.

T: Mounting object 10: Housing 20: Cushion layer 30: Outer surface layer H: Hole in mounting object 11: First hole 21: Second hole 31: Third hole U1 to U4: Sensor unit 100, 100': Detection sensor 110: Sensor layer 120: First electrode, second electrode 101: Sensor body 102: Fixed part 200 (200a, 200b): Cushion part 300: Body 310: Holding part 320: Fixed part 400: External connection part 500: Cover part 600: Interlayer member 700: Intermediate part P: Exhaust path

Claims (16)

A sensor unit that is provided on an attachment target and can be attached to the attachment target from one side in a first direction so as to be partially housed in a hole that opens at least in one direction in the first direction,
a detection sensor that is a touch sensor or a pressure sensor and is configured to be able to detect approach of a detection target from the other side in the first direction;
at least one cushion portion which is an elastic body and covers at least a part of the detection sensor from the other side in the first direction and is at least partially accommodated in the hole of the attachment target in a state in which the sensor unit is attached to the attachment target from one side in the first direction ;
It has a body and
the first direction is an arrangement direction of the at least one cushion portion and the detection sensor,
The body has a holding portion and at least one fixed portion,
the holding portion is located on one side of the detection sensor in the first direction and holds the detection sensor,
the at least one fixed portion is located outward from the detection sensor in an orthogonal direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction,
A sensor unit in which the at least one cushion portion is at least partially accommodated within the hole of the mounting object, and the at least one fixed portion is fixed to the edge of the hole of the mounting object from one side in the first direction . A sensor unit that is provided on an attachment target and can be attached to the attachment target from one side in a first direction so as to be partially housed in a hole that opens at least in one direction in the first direction,
a detection sensor that is a touch sensor or a pressure sensor and is configured to be able to detect approach of a detection target from the other side in the first direction;
at least one cushion portion that is an elastic body and covers at least a portion of the detection sensor from the other side in the first direction;
a cover portion that covers the at least one cushion portion and the detection sensor from the other side in the first direction ;
It has a body and
When the sensor unit is attached to the attachment target from one side in the first direction, at least one of the cover portion and the at least one cushion portion is at least partially housed in the hole of the attachment target,
the first direction is an arrangement direction of the at least one cushion portion and the detection sensor,
The body has a holding portion and at least one fixed portion,
the holding portion is located on one side of the detection sensor in the first direction and holds the detection sensor,
the at least one fixed portion is located outward from the detection sensor in an orthogonal direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction,
A sensor unit in which the at least one cushion portion is at least partially accommodated within the hole of the mounting object, and the at least one fixed portion is fixed to the edge of the hole of the mounting object from one side in the first direction . 3. The sensor unit according to claim 1,
The holding portion is a box that opens to the other side of the first direction, and houses the detection sensor and at least a portion of the at least one cushion portion, and the sensor unit is at least partially housed within the hole of the mounting object when the sensor unit is attached to the mounting object from one side of the first direction. 3. The sensor unit according to claim 1,
The at least one fixed portion extends from the holding portion in the perpendicular direction . 2. The sensor unit according to claim 1 ,
the attachment target has a bottom portion that closes the other side of the hole in the first direction,
A sensor unit in which the at least one fixed portion is fixed to the edge of the hole of the mounting object from one side in the first direction, and the at least one cushion portion abuts the bottom of the hole from one side in the first direction . 3. The sensor unit according to claim 1,
A sensor unit in which the at least one fixed portion is fixed to the edge of the hole of the mounting object from one side in the first direction, with an elastic body interposed between the at least one fixed portion and the mounting object . The sensor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The at least one cushion portion is waterproof . The sensor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
the detection sensor has a first surface on the other side in the first direction,
the at least one cushion portion has a first surface on the other side in the first direction and a second surface on one side in the first direction, and the second surface of the at least one cushion portion is in surface contact with the first surface of the detection sensor or in contact with an interlayer member therebetween;
The sensor unit further comprises at least one exhaust passage;
The at least one exhaust path is provided on at least one of the second surface of the at least one cushion portion and the first surface of the detection sensor, and is open to the at least one surface and to a side surface abutting the at least one surface, or is provided on the interlayer member and is open to at least one of the second surface of the at least one cushion portion and the first surface of the detection sensor, and is open to a side surface of the interlayer member . The sensor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The sensor unit further comprises at least one intermediate portion disposed between the detection sensor and the at least one cushion portion . 10. The sensor unit according to claim 9 ,
The at least one intermediate portion of the sensor unit is waterproof . The sensor unit according to claim 9 or 10 ,
the detection sensor has a first surface on the other side in the first direction,
the at least one intermediate portion has a first surface on the other side in the first direction and a second surface on one side in the first direction, and the second surface of the at least one intermediate portion is in surface contact with the first surface of the detection sensor or in contact with an interlayer member therebetween;
The sensor unit further comprises at least one exhaust passage;
The at least one exhaust path is provided on at least one of the second surface of the at least one intermediate portion and the first surface of the detection sensor, and is open to the at least one surface and to a side surface abutting the at least one surface, or is provided in the interlayer member and is open to at least one of the second surface of the at least one intermediate portion and the first surface of the detection sensor, and is open to a side surface of the interlayer member . The sensor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11 ,
The sensor unit includes a plurality of cushion portions, each of which is stacked in the first direction . The sensor unit according to claim 1;
and an attachment object having a hole that opens in at least one of the first directions,
the first direction is an arrangement direction of the at least one cushion portion of the sensor unit and the detection sensor,
An attachment structure between a sensor unit and an attachment object, wherein the at least one fixed portion of the sensor unit is fixed to the edge of the hole of the attachment object from one side in the first direction, and the at least one cushion portion of the sensor unit is at least partially contained within the hole of the attachment object from one side in the first direction . The sensor unit according to claim 2;
and an attachment object having a hole that opens in at least one of the first directions,
the first direction is an arrangement direction of the at least one cushion portion of the sensor unit and the detection sensor,
An attachment structure between a sensor unit and an attachment object, wherein the at least one fixed portion of the sensor unit is fixed to the edge of the hole of the attachment object from one side in the first direction, and the at least one cushion portion of the sensor unit is at least partially contained within the hole of the attachment object from one side in the first direction . 15. The mounting structure for a sensor unit and an object according to claim 13,
The mounting structure for the sensor unit and the mounting object includes a housing and a cushion layer that at least partially covers the housing from the other side in the first direction. 16. The mounting structure for a sensor unit and an object according to claim 15,
The mounting structure for the sensor unit and the mounting object , wherein the mounting object further includes an outer surface layer that at least partially covers the housing and the cushion layer from the other side in the first direction .