JP2006004711A - Composite input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a composite input device which causes no looseness between a rotation operating portion and a push button portion. <P>SOLUTION: The composite input device has the rotation operating portion 13 for operating a rotation input portion including a conductive pattern forming portion 2 and a slider 8, a push button portion 14 arranged to enable the rise and fall in the rotation operating portion 13 to operate a push input portion including stationary contacts 3,4 and 5 and a movable contact 6, and a resilient coupling portion 15 for unifying the rotation operating portion 13 and the push button portion 14. The coupling portion 15, the rotation operating portion 13 and the push button portion 13 consists of, for example, a rubber member formed in a body. Further, the rotation operating portion 13 and the push button 14 are coupled with the coupling portion 15 along the entire periphery of the push button 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a composite input device that includes a rotation operation unit that outputs a signal accompanying rotation and a push button unit that outputs a signal accompanying pressing, and is used in an electronic device such as a mobile phone.

As this type of conventional technology, for example, there is a technology described in Patent Document 1. This prior art includes a rotation input unit that detects a rotation operation and outputs a signal, a press input unit that detects a pressing operation and outputs a signal, a rotation operation unit that operates the rotation input unit, and the rotation operation unit. And a push button part that operates the above-mentioned press input part. This prior art enables the operation of the rotary operation unit and the push button unit to output different signals, that is, the combined operation.
JP 2003-281972 A

  The above-described prior art can detect both the rotation operation and the pressing operation. However, since a gap is formed between the rotation operation unit and the push button unit, the play due to the gap is likely to occur. For this reason, there has been a problem that the product quality tends to deteriorate.

  The present invention has been made from the above-described prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a composite input device that does not cause backlash between the rotary operation unit and the push button unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a rotation operation unit that operates a rotation input unit that outputs a signal accompanying rotation, and is arranged to be movable up and down in the rotation operation unit, and outputs a signal accompanying pressing. And a push button portion for operating the press input portion, and a flexible connecting portion for integrating the rotation operation portion and the push button portion.

  In the present invention configured as described above, since the rotation operation unit and the push button unit are integrated through the connecting unit, the rotation operation unit and the push button unit can be connected without interposing a gap. There is no play between the button and the push button.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the connecting portion is formed by connecting the rotation operation portion and the push button portion around the entire circumference of the push button portion. In the present invention configured as described above, since the rotation operation portion and the push button portion are connected by the connecting portion over the entire circumference of the push button portion, intrusion of dust and foreign matters from the boundary portion between the rotation operation portion and the push button portion. Can be prevented.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the connecting portion and the rotation operation portion are formed of a rubber body integrally formed. According to the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to eliminate sliding between the rotation operation unit and a finger that operates the rotation operation unit, and to ensure good rotation operability.

  The present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the operation surface of the push button portion is set to be harder than the operation surface of the rotation operation portion. According to the present invention configured as described above, the operation feeling of the rotation operation unit and the operation feeling of the push button unit can be made different, and a good combined operation feeling can be secured.

  According to the present invention, in the above invention, the connecting portion, the rotation operation portion, and the push button portion are formed of an integrally formed rubber body. In the present invention configured as described above, the connecting portion, the rotation operation portion, and the pressing portion form one member, so that the number of components can be reduced.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, a conductive cover member is provided on an outer peripheral edge of the rotation operation unit. According to the present invention configured as described above, static electricity can be released to the outside through the cover member, and electrical protection of the rotation input unit and the pressure input unit can be realized.

  Since the present invention includes a flexible connecting portion that integrates the rotation operation portion and the push button portion, it can be structured to prevent backlash between the rotation operation portion and the push button portion. Product quality can be improved as compared with the prior art.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out a composite input device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a first embodiment of the composite input apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

  This embodiment is provided in, for example, a mobile phone. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the conductive pattern forming unit 2 included in the rotation input unit on the base 1 and the press input unit are included. The central fixed contact 3 and the peripheral fixed contacts 4 and 5 are movable contacts made of a thin dome-shaped metal plate that is included in the pressing input unit and is always connected to the peripheral fixed contacts 4 and 5 and selectively connected to the central fixed contact 3. 6 is provided. A rotation input unit including the conductive pattern forming unit 2 is provided at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral side of the pressing input unit that includes the central fixed contact 3, the peripheral fixed contacts 4 and 5, and the movable contact 6, and that detects a pressing operation and outputs a signal. Has been placed.

  A rotating body 7 is rotatably mounted around a cylindrical portion 1a formed in the central portion of the base 1 as a rotation axis, and the surface portion of the rotating body 7 facing the conductive pattern forming portion 2 is electrically conductive. A slider 8 that slides on a conductive pattern provided in the pattern forming unit 2 is attached. That is, the slider 8 and the conductive pattern forming unit 2 constitute a rotation input unit that detects a rotation operation and outputs a signal.

  A frame body 9 made of a conductive material is fixed to the upper surface of the base 1, and an overhang portion 9 a formed at one end of the frame body 9 is electrically connected to a ground terminal 10 embedded in the base 1. I'm allowed.

  A spacer 11 is disposed on the upper surface of the rotating body 7, and the spacer 11 is integrally engaged with the rotating body 7 via a hook portion 11 a provided in the spacer 11.

  The knob 12 constituting the main part of the present embodiment includes a rotation operation unit 13 that operates the above-described rotation input unit, a push button unit 14 that operates the above-described press input unit, and the rotation operation unit 13 and the push button unit 14. Are connected, for example, on the entire circumference of the push button portion 14. The rotation operation unit 13 is adhered to, for example, the upper surface of the spacer 11, and the push button unit 14 is rotatably disposed inside the cylindrical portion 1 a of the base 1. The dome-shaped movable contact 6 provided in the press input portion can be reversed by the lower end of the push button portion 14.

  Moreover, the connection part 15, the rotation operation part 13, and the pushbutton part 14 which were mentioned above are integrally formed, and consist of the material which has flexibility, for example, rubber | gum. That is, the connecting portion 15 has flexibility, and the connecting portion 15, the rotation operation portion 13, and the push button portion 14 form a rubber body made of one member.

  A cap 16 made of a metal material that forms an operation surface of the push button portion 14 is provided on the upper surface of the push button portion 14. That is, the operation surface of the push button unit 14 is set to be harder than the operation surface made of rubber of the rotation operation unit 13.

  Further, a conductive cover member 17 is disposed on the outer peripheral edges of the rotation operation unit 13 and the spacer 11, and the lower end of the cover member 17 is disposed so as to approach the frame body 9 described above.

  In this embodiment, when a finger is brought into contact with the operation surface made of rubber of the rotation operation unit 13 and the rotation operation unit 13 is rotated by the finger, the spacer 11 and the rotating body 7 are integrated with the rotation operation unit 13. Rotating about the cylindrical body 1a of the base 1, the slider 8 provided on the rotary body 7 slides on the conductive pattern of the conductive pattern forming portion 2 provided on the base 1, and rotates a predetermined amount. A signal is output.

  When the push button portion 14 is pressed through a hard operation surface, that is, a cap 16 made of a metal material, the push button portion 14 is lowered and the movable contact 6 provided on the base 1 is pushed by the lower end of the push button portion 14. The movable contact 6 is also conducted to the central fixed contact 3. As a result, a predetermined pressing signal is output. When the pressing force on the push button portion 14 is released, the movable contact 6 returns to the initial shape by its own spring force, and accordingly, the push button portion 14 rises to the initial position. Thus, this embodiment can output a signal according to each of rotation operation and press operation.

  In this embodiment configured as described above, the rotation operation unit 13 and the push button unit 14 are integrated via the flexible connecting unit 15, and therefore the rotation operation unit 13 and the push button unit 14 are interposed with a gap. Can be connected without causing any backlash between the rotary operation unit 13 and the push button unit 14. Thereby, excellent product quality can be obtained.

  Moreover, since the rotation operation part 13 and the push button part 14 are connected by the connection part 15 over the perimeter of the push button part 14, the penetration | invasion of dust and a foreign material from the boundary part of the rotation operation part 13 and the push button part 14 is prevented. it can. Thereby, a rotation input part and a press input part can be protected from dust etc., and it can be set as a reliable product.

  Further, since the rotation operation unit 15 is made of a rubber body, it is possible to eliminate slippage between the rotation operation unit 15 and a finger that operates the rotation operation unit 15, and to ensure good rotation operability. Therefore, it contributes to the realization of excellent composite operability.

  Further, since the operation surface of the push button portion 14 is formed by a cap 16 made of a material harder than the rubber forming the operation surface of the rotation operation portion 13, that is, a metal material, the operation feeling of the rotation operation portion 13 is as follows. The operation feeling of the push button portion 14 is relatively soft, that is, the operation feeling of the rotation operation portion 13 and the operation feel of the push button portion 14 can be made different, and a good combined operation feeling can be secured. Therefore, this also contributes to the realization of excellent composite operability.

  In addition, since the connecting portion 15, the rotation operation portion 13, and the push button portion 14 are formed of a rubber body that is integrally formed, the connection portion 15, the rotation operation portion 13, and the push button portion 14 are formed as one member. And the number of parts can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to improve the efficiency of assembly work and the like.

  Further, since the conductive cover member 17 is disposed on the outer peripheral edge of the rotation operation unit 13, static electricity can be released to the ground terminal 10 via the cover member 17 and the overhanging portion 9a of the frame body 9, Electrical protection of the rotation input unit and the pressure input unit can be realized. This also makes it possible to obtain a highly reliable product.

  Furthermore, since the outer peripheral edge of the rotation operation unit 13 made of a rubber body is covered by the cover member 17 so as not to be exposed to the outside, the rotation operation unit 13 can be prevented from being peeled off from the spacer 11 by receiving an external force. The rotational force can be reliably transmitted from the operation unit 13 to the rotating body 7 via the spacer 11, and this has excellent durability.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the connecting portion 21 and the rotation operating portion 19 constituting the knob 18 are formed as an integrally formed material made of a flexible material such as rubber, and the push button portion 20 is connected to these connecting portions. 21 and the rotation operation unit 19 are formed separately from, for example, a synthetic resin. The connecting portion 21 made of a rubber body in the second embodiment also has a configuration in which the rotation operating portion 19 and the push button portion 20 are connected, for example, in close contact with the entire circumference of the push button portion 20. Further, a cap 16 made of a hard material such as a metal material is provided so as to cover the upper surfaces of the push button portion 20 and the connecting portion 21. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment described above.

  The second embodiment configured as described above also includes the flexible connecting portion 21 that integrates the rotation operation portion 19 and the push button portion 20, and thus has the same effect as that in the first embodiment described above. An effect is obtained. Further, except that the rotation operation unit 19 and the connecting unit 21 and the push button unit 20 are two members and do not become one member as in the first embodiment, other parts obtained in the above-described first embodiment. An effect equivalent to the effect can be obtained.

  In addition, in each said embodiment, although the connection parts 15 and 21 which have flexibility consist of rubber | gum, this invention is not restricted to forming the connection part 21 with rubber | gum in this way, it is flexible. It can also be formed by a synthetic resin having

  Further, in the above, the connecting portions 15 and 21 are configured to be connected over the entire circumference of the push button portion 20, but in cases where there is no risk of intrusion of dust or the like, it is not necessary to connect the entire circumference. Good. For example, a gap may be formed for each predetermined dimension, and the push button portion 20 may be connected only by the connecting portions 15 and 21 located between the gaps.

  Further, in the above, the cap 16 that forms the operation surface is provided on the upper surface of the push button portion 20, but the cap 16 is not provided, and the upper surface of the push button portion 20 is exposed to the outside as the operation surface. Good.

  In the above description, the rotation operation unit 13 is connected to the rotator 7 via the spacer 11. However, the rotation operation unit 13 may be directly connected to the rotator 7 without providing the spacer 11.

It is a top view which shows 1st Embodiment of the composite input device of this invention. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 2 which shows 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base 1a Tubular part 2 Conductive pattern formation part (rotation input part)
3 Center fixed contact (press input part)
4 Peripheral fixed contacts (press input part)
5 Peripheral fixed contacts (press input part)
6 Movable contacts (press input part)
7 Rotating body 8 Slider (Rotation input part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 Frame 9a Overhang | projection part 10 Ground terminal 11 Spacer 11a Hook part 12 Knob 13 Rotation operation part 14 Push button part 15 Connection part 16 Cap 17 Cover member 18 Knob 19 Rotation operation part 20 Push button part 21 Connection part

Claims (6)

A rotation operation unit that operates a rotation input unit that outputs a signal accompanying rotation, and a push button unit that is arranged to be movable up and down on the rotation operation unit and operates a press input unit that outputs a signal accompanied by pressing;
A composite input device comprising a flexible connecting portion for integrating the rotation operation portion and the push button portion. In the invention of claim 1,
The composite input device, wherein the connecting portion is formed by connecting the rotation operation portion and the push button portion around the entire circumference of the push button portion. In the invention of claim 1,
The composite input device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion and the rotation operation portion are formed of a rubber body integrally formed. In the invention of claim 1,
A composite input device characterized in that an operation surface of the push button portion is set to be harder than an operation surface of the rotation operation portion. In the invention of claim 1,
The composite input device, wherein the connecting portion, the rotation operation portion, and the push button portion are formed of a rubber body that is integrally formed. In the invention of claim 1,
A composite input device comprising a conductive cover member on an outer peripheral edge of the rotation operation unit.

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