JP2008059212A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact and thin input device for preventing detecting operation from being performed by mistake when a section other than an operation part is touched. <P>SOLUTION: In an operating member 2 formed of synthetic resin, the periphery of an operation part 21 having an operation knob 22 is surrounded by a fixture part 23 and a wall section 25 at an operation part 20 whose thickness dimension is relatively small. Deformation parts 27a, 27b, 27c and 27d are formed in the operation part 20, and distortion detection elements Ra, Rb, Rc and Rd are mounted on the upper faces of the deformation parts. This input device 1 is configured by fixing the lower face of the operation member 2 to the substrate or the like. When the operation knob 22 is operated so as to be inclined, force is prevented from being applied to the fixture part 23 and the wall part 25 in the outer periphery, and the deformation parts 27a, 27b, 27c and 27d are deformed, and the distortions are detected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device including an operation member that is deformed by an operating force applied from the outside, and a detection element that detects the deformation of the operation member.

  In the operation unit of the personal computer, an input device with a stick-like operation unit protruding is mounted together with a keyboard device. In this input device, a deformable portion extending in four directions is provided around a rod-shaped operation portion, and a strain detection element is attached to the deformable portion. When the operation unit is tilted with a finger, one of the deforming portions extending in four directions is deformed, the amount of deformation is detected by the strain detecting element, and the load applied to the operating unit and the direction in which the operating unit is tilted. Based on this, XY coordinate data is output.

  In the conventional input device, an operation unit, a deforming unit, and a fixed unit are integrally formed, and the fixed unit is fixed to a support plate formed of sheet metal, and the support plate is used as a keyboard in the operation unit of a personal computer. It is fixed to the substrate of the device. For this reason, the input device itself becomes large, and the support plate has to be individually designed and manufactured so as to correspond to the structure of the keyboard device substrate on which the support plate is mounted.

In input devices described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 below, an operation unit, a deforming unit, and a fixed unit are integrally formed, and a strain detecting element is attached to the deforming unit. And the member in which the operation part, the deformation | transformation part, and the fixing | fixed part were integrally formed can be directly mounted on a board | substrate etc. now.
JP 2001-331270 A JP 2001-331271 A JP 2000-267803 A

  However, in any of the input devices, conventionally, the deformable portion is disposed on the side of the operation portion. Therefore, when an operator who does not intend to operate the operation unit touches an area other than the operation unit with a finger, the deformation unit is deformed by that force, and a detection output is obtained from the strain detection element, and is displayed on the screen of the personal computer. It is easy to cause a malfunction that the displayed pointer or the like moves carelessly.

  In each of Patent Documents 1 to 3, since the deformable portion and the fixed portion are integrally formed with the same thickness, the distortion is concentrated on the deformable portion when the operation portion is operated. It is difficult to operate, and the operating force acts directly on the fixed portion, and the connecting portion between the fixed portion and the substrate tends to be fatigued.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, is small and easy to mount, can prevent a detection output from being inadvertently obtained when a finger touches a part other than the operation unit, and can be operated. An object of the present invention is to provide an input device capable of preventing an excessive force from acting on a soldering portion or the like due to a force for operating the portion.

The present invention has an operation member that is deformed by an operating force, and a detection element that detects deformation of the operation member,
The operation member is integrally formed with an operation part located at a central part, a fixed part located away from the operation part, and a deformation part deformable by an operation force acting on the operation part. The element is attached to the deformation part,
The deforming part is at a position lower than the operation side surface of the fixing part, and the deforming part is covered with a lid fixed to the surface of the fixing part. .

  In the input device of the present invention, since the deforming portion is covered with the lid, it is possible to prevent an erroneous detection operation from being performed when a hand other than the operation portion is touched.

  Further, according to the present invention, a wall portion that connects between the plurality of fixed portions is formed on the operation side surface of the operation member, and the lid is in close contact with the surface of the fixed portion and the surface of the wall portion. And are preferably fixed.

  In the input device having the above structure, the portion having the deforming portion and the detection element is closed by the wall portion and the lid, so that dust or the like is difficult to enter inside. Moreover, when water etc. enter from an operation part, this water can be prevented from diffusing around.

  In the present invention, for example, the detection element is installed on a surface of the operation member on the operation side of the deformation portion, and the detection element is attached at a position away from the lid body covering the deformation portion. Can be configured.

  Alternatively, in the present invention, it is preferable that the fixed portion protrudes toward the back side from the deformable portion, and the back surface of the fixed portion is an installation surface for attachment. For example, positioning protrusions are provided on the installation surface.

  In the operating member, when a part of the fixed part protrudes in the back surface direction and this fixed part is used as an installation surface, the deformed part formed thinner than the fixed part in a state where the fixed part is attached to a substrate or the like. It can be easily deformed. In addition, since the force applied to the operation unit is concentrated on the deforming unit, it is possible to prevent an excessive force from acting on the connection unit between the fixing unit and the substrate.

  In this case, the detection element can be configured to be attached to the back side of the deformable portion, and the detection element is disposed at a position retracted from the installation surface.

  Further, according to the present invention, a connection terminal extending to the outside is provided in a portion other than the deformation portion of the operating member, and the detection element is connected to the connection terminal.

  As described above, when the connecting portion is directly attached to the operating member, a small and thin input device can be configured.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable that the tip portion of the connection terminal is located on the same plane as the lower surface of the operation member.

  In this configuration, when the tip of the connection terminal is soldered to the substrate or the like, the lower surface of the operating member and the substrate come into contact with each other. As a result, the operating force applied to the operating portion is received at the contact portion between the operating member and the substrate, and it is possible to prevent excessive stress from acting on the soldering portion between the connection terminal and the substrate.

  The input device of the present invention can be configured in a small size and can be mounted in common on a plurality of devices. Further, the detection operation is not performed when the hand touches a place other than the operation unit. In addition, when an operating force is applied to the operation unit, it is possible to prevent an excessive force from being applied to the fixing unit to the board provided in the keyboard device or the like.

  1 is an exploded perspective view showing an input device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the input device 1 as viewed from the installation surface side, and FIG. 3 is a half sectional view of the input device 1. It is.

  As shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 1, the input device 1 includes an operation member 2 that also serves as a case, a flexible substrate 3 that is attached to an upper portion of the operation member 2, and an upper surface of the operation member 2. And a lid 4 attached in close contact.

  The operating member 2 is integrally formed of an electrically insulating synthetic resin material. The motion member 2 has a substantially square or rectangular planar shape. The operation member 2 is formed with an operation unit 20 having a uniform thickness, and an operation unit 21 is provided at the center of the operation unit 20. In the operation unit 21, an operation knob 22 integral with the operation unit 20 is integrally formed upward.

  The operation member 2 has a fixed portion 23 at the four corners away from the operation portion 21. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper surface 23a of each fixing portion 23 is located above the upper surface of the operating portion 20 via a step, and the four upper surfaces 23a are coplanar with each other. Is located. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower surface (back surface) of each fixing portion 23 is an installation surface 23b. The four installation surfaces 23b are located on the same plane, and each installation surface 23b is located below the lower surface of the operation unit 20 via a step. As shown in FIG. 2, positioning protrusions 24, 24 that protrude downward integrally are formed on the two installation surfaces 23 b.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the operation member 2, the wall part 25 which connects between each fixing | fixed part 23 provided in four corners is formed in four places. And as shown in FIG. 1, the upper surface 23a of each fixing | fixed part 23 and the upper surface 25a of each wall part 25 are located on the same plane. As shown in FIG. 2, the installation surface 23 b that is the lower surface of each fixing portion 23 and the lower surface 25 b of each wall portion 25 are located on the same plane.

  Therefore, the operation member 2 is the operation unit 20 that is relatively thin around the operation unit 21, and the outer peripheral contour portion is formed to have a larger thickness dimension than the operation unit 20 on the entire periphery. The motion member has a first side surface 2a and a second side surface 2b that are parallel to each other, and a third side surface 2c and a fourth side surface 2d that are parallel to each other. The first side surface 2a and the second side surface 2b, and the third side surface 2c and the fourth side surface 2d are planes orthogonal to each other.

  In FIG. 1, an axis passing through the midpoint between the third side surface 2c and the fourth side surface 2d and parallel to the third side surface 2c and the fourth side surface 2d is indicated by the X axis, and the first side surface 2a and the first side surface 2d An axis passing through the midpoint between the two side surfaces 2b and parallel to the first side surface 2a and the second side surface 2b is indicated by the Y axis.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the operating portion 20 of the operating member 2, a notch portion 26 that is a through-hole penetrating vertically is provided in an inner portion of each fixing portion 23. As a result, in the operation unit 20, the X-axis is inserted into the portion sandwiched between the notch portion 26 and the notch portion 26 and between the fixing portion 23 and the fixing portion 23 inside the first side surface 2 a. A first X-direction deforming portion 27a extending along the line is formed. A second side extending between the notch 26 and the notch 26 and extending along the X axis in a portion sandwiched between the notch 26 and the notch 26 inside the second side surface 2b. The X direction deformation portion 27b is formed. Further, a first side extending along the Y-axis is sandwiched between the notch portion 26 and the notch portion 26 inside the third side surface 2c and is sandwiched between the fixing portion 23 and the fixing portion 23. A Y-direction deforming portion 27c is formed. Then, on the inner side of the fourth side surface 2d, a second portion extending along the Y axis is sandwiched between the notch portion 26 and the notch portion 26 and is sandwiched between the fixing portion 23 and the fixing portion 23. A Y-direction deforming portion 27d is formed.

  The deforming portions 27a, 27b, 27c, and 27d extend in four orthogonal directions around the operation knob 22. When the operation knob 22 is tilted in any direction, the deformation portions 27a, 27b, 27c, and 27d Either one is distorted.

  On the upper surface of the operation unit 20 formed in the inner region of the operation member 2, the flexible substrate 3 is installed and fixed by adhesion. The outer shape of the flexible substrate 3 substantially matches the contour of the operation unit 20. A circular operation hole 31 is opened at the center of the flexible substrate 3, and the operation knob 22 passes through the operation hole 31 while the flexible substrate 3 is installed on the upper surface of the operation unit 20. Projecting upward.

  Strain detection elements Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd are fixed and mounted on the upper surface of the flexible substrate 3. The strain detection elements Ra, Rb, Rc, and Rd have electrical resistances that change in accordance with the amount of strain in the extension direction. The strain detection element Ra is attached to the upper surface of the first X-direction deforming portion 27a. Similarly, the strain detection elements Rb, Rc, and Rd are attached to the upper surfaces of the second X-direction deforming portion 27b, the first Y-direction deforming portion 27c, and the second Y-direction deforming portion 27d, respectively. If the strain detection element Ra is attached to a position slightly offset toward the first side surface 2a on the upper surface of the first X-direction deforming portion 27a, the amount of deformation of the first X-direction deforming portion 27a is effectively reduced. Can be detected. The same applies to the strain detection elements Rb, Rc, and Rd.

  The flexible substrate 3 is provided with a protruding portion extending in one direction along the X axis, and a pair of conductive lands 51 and 52 are exposed at the protruding portion. A pair of lands 53 and 54 are also exposed at the protruding portion extending to the other side along the X axis of the flexible substrate 3. On the upper surface of the flexible substrate 3, conductive patterns are formed for electrically connecting the lands 51, 52, 53, 54 to the respective strain detection elements Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd. The circuit configured on the flexible substrate 3 is as shown in FIG.

  Connection terminals 61, 62, 63 and 64 are attached to the operating member 2. The connection terminals 61, 62, 63, 64 are inserted into the molding die and integrated with the operation member 2 when the operation member 2 is formed of synthetic resin. The connection terminal 61 and the connection terminal 62 protrude outward from the first side surface 2 a of the operation member 2. In the operation part 20, connection pieces 61a and 62a integrated with the connection terminals 61 and 62 appear on substantially the same plane as the surface of the operation part 20, and clamp pieces 61b and 62b bent vertically from the connection pieces 61a and 62a. Is provided. The connection terminal 63 and the connection terminal 64 protrude outward from the second side surface 2 b of the operation member 2. In the operation part 20, connection pieces 63a and 64a integrated with the connection terminals 63 and 64 appear on substantially the same surface as the surface of the operation part 20, and clamp pieces 63b and 64b bent vertically from the connection pieces 63a and 64a. Is provided.

  Further, FG terminals 66 and 66 are attached to the third side surface 2 c and the fourth side surface 2 d of the operation member 2. The FG terminals 66 and 66 are for releasing static electricity to the grounding portion.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a fixing protrusion 28 is integrally formed on the upper surface 23 a of each fixing portion 23 of the operation member 2.

  The lid 4 is formed of a metal plate. The shape of the lid 4 substantially matches the planar shape of the operation member 2. Fixing holes 41 are opened at four corners of the lid body 4. The fixing hole 41 is formed at a position corresponding to the protrusion 28 provided in the operation member 2. An operation hole 42 is opened at the center of the lid 4. The inner diameter of the operation hole 42 is slightly larger than the diameter of the operation knob 22.

  In the method of assembling the input device 1, the flexible substrate 3 is attached to the upper surface of the operation unit 20 formed at a position one step lower than the operation member 2, and the strain detection element Ra is attached to the first X-direction deformation unit 27 a. The strain detection element Rb is installed on the second X-direction deforming portion 27b. Further, the strain detecting element Rc is installed on the first Y direction deforming portion 27c, and the strain detecting element Rd is installed on the second Y direction deforming portion 27d.

  At this time, the land 51 formed on the flexible substrate 3 is opposed to the connection piece 61 a of the connection terminal 61, and the land 52 of the flexible substrate 3 is opposed to the connection piece 61 a of the connection terminal 62. Similarly, the lands 53 and 54 formed on the flexible substrate 3 are opposed to the connection pieces 63 a and 64 a of the connection terminals 63 and 64. Further, the clamp piece 61b of the connection terminal 61 and the clamp piece 62b of the connection terminal 62 are bent to hold the flexible substrate 3 and to make the lands 51 and 52 and the connection pieces 61a and 62a conductive. Similarly, the clamp piece 63b of the connection terminal 63 and the clamp piece 64b of the connection terminal 64 are bent to hold the flexible substrate 3, and the lands 53 and 54 and the connection pieces 63a and 64a are electrically connected.

  Thereafter, the lid 4 is put on the operation member 2, the operation knob 22 is inserted into the operation hole 42, and each protrusion 28 provided on the upper surface 23 a of the fixing portion 23 of the operation member 2 is attached to the lid 4. The lid 4 is fixed to the operation member 2 by inserting into the fixing hole 41 and pressing or crushing the tip of each projection 28 with pressure.

  The operating member 2 is provided with fixing portions 23 at four corners, and each fixing portion 23 is connected by a wall portion 25, and an upper surface 23 a of the fixing portion 23 and a wall portion are provided over the entire edge of the operating member 2. An upper surface 25a of 25 is formed. The lid 4 is attached in close contact with the upper surfaces 23a and 25a. For this reason, the space between the operating unit 20 and the lid 4 can be closed, and it is difficult for dust to enter inside, and even if water enters, it is difficult to diffuse around.

  FIG. 3 shows a state where the input device 1 is mounted on a board 80 such as a keyboard device.

  In the input device 1, the lower surface of the operation member 2 is installed on the surface of the substrate 80. As shown in FIG. 2, on the lower surface of the operation member 2, installation surfaces 23 b having a relatively large area, which are the lower surfaces of the fixing portions 23, are provided at the four corners. It is connected with. Therefore, when the input device 1 is installed on the surface of the substrate 80, the installation surface 23b and the lower surface 25b are installed in a stable posture on the substrate 80 with a wide area. At this time, a positioning hole is formed in the substrate 80, and the positioning projection 24 formed on the installation surface 23b is fitted into the hole, so that the input device 1 is stably fixed on the surface of the substrate 80. It is possible.

  The connection terminals 61, 62, 63, 64 are installed on a conductive pattern formed on the surface of the substrate 80 and fixed by soldering or the like. Further, the FG terminals 66 and 66 are soldered to the ground pattern on the surface of the substrate 80.

  In the input device 1, a power supply voltage is applied to the connection terminal 61 and the land 51, and the connection terminal 63 and the land 53 are set to the ground potential. When the operation knob 22 is tilted in the direction toward the first side surface 2a of the operation member 2 or tilted in the direction toward the second side surface 2b, the first X-direction deforming portion 27a and the second X-direction deformation are performed. The part 27b is deformed, and the resistance values of the strain detection elements Ra and Rb attached to this part are changed. As a result, the potential at the midpoint between the strain detection element Ra and the strain detection element Rb shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 5 changes, and this change in potential is output from the land 52 via the connection terminal 62.

  In addition, when the operation knob 22 is tilted in the direction toward the third side surface 2c of the operation member 2, or is tilted in the direction toward the fourth side surface 2d, the first Y-direction deforming portion 27c and the second Y-direction The deformation portion 27d is deformed, and the resistance values of the strain detection elements Rc and Rd provided in this portion change. Therefore, the potential at the midpoint between the strain detection element Rc and the strain detection element Rd changes, and this change in potential is output from the land 54 via the connection terminal 64.

  In this input device 1, the deformed portions 27 a, 27 b, 27 c, 27 d provided on the operation member 2 are thinner than the fixed portions 23 provided at the four corners, so that the operation knob 22 is operated. In addition, the deforming portions 27a, 27b, 27c, and 27d are easily deformed. Further, the operating member 2 is provided with a fixed portion 23 and a wall portion 25 which are large portions so as to surround the entire circumference of each of the deformable portions 27a, 27b, 27c and 27d. The wall portion 25 is installed on the substrate 80. Therefore, when the operation knob 22 is operated to be tilted, distortion concentrates on the deformed portions 27a, 27b, 27c, and 27d of the operation portion 20 having a small wall thickness surrounded by the fixing portion 23 and the wall portion 25. Cheap. Therefore, when the operation knob 22 is operated, excessive stress is difficult to act on the fixing portion 23 and the wall portion 25. Therefore, the damage given to the soldering portion between the connection terminals 61, 62, 63, 64 and the substrate 80 is small.

  Since the input device 1 is configured within the range of the size of the operation member 2 having a deforming portion, the entire input device 1 is small and thin. The input device 1 can be mounted by soldering the connection terminals 61, 62, 63, 64 and the FG terminals 66, 66 to a conductive pattern formed on the board of the keyboard device.

  Further, the surfaces of the deformable portions 27a, 27b, 27c, and 27d are covered with the lid body 4, and as shown in FIG. 3, the deformable portions 27a, 27b, 27c, and 27d and the strain detection elements installed in the deformable portions. Ra, Rb, Rc, and Rd are separated from the lid 4. Therefore, even if the finger touches the surface of the lid 4, no stress is applied to the deformed portions 27 a, 27 b, 27 c, 27 d, and the detection output is inadvertently performed even though the operation knob 22 is not operated. It can prevent getting out.

  FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the input device 101 according to the second embodiment of the present invention from the installation surface side. In this input device 101, the same components as those of the input device 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Similar to the motion member 2 of the first embodiment, the motion member 102 shown in FIG. 4 is provided with fixing portions 23 at four corners, and wall portions 25 that connect the fixing portions 23. An installation surface 23b, which is the lower surface of the fixed portion 23, and a lower surface 25b of the wall portion 25 are formed so as to protrude from the lower surface of the operating portion 20 through a step. And the deformation | transformation part 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d is formed in the operation | movement part 20 with comparatively thin thickness dimension. Further, the lid body 4 is fixed on the upper side of the operation member 102, and the deformed portions 27 a, 27 b, 27 c, and 27 d are formed at positions slightly below the lower surface of the lid body 4.

  In the input device 101, the flexible substrate 103 is bonded to the lower surface of the operation unit 20. Strain detection elements Ra, Rb, Rc, and Rd are mounted on the lower surface of the flexible substrate 103. The strain detection element Ra is installed under the first X-direction deformation portion 27a, and the strain detection element Rb is installed under the second X-direction deformation portion 27b. Further, the strain detection element Rc is installed under the first Y-direction deforming portion 27c, and the strain detection element Rd is installed under the second Y-direction deforming portion 27d.

  The lands 51, 52, 53, and 54 provided on the flexible substrate 103 are connected to connection terminals 61, 62, 63, and 64, respectively, and the flexible substrates are clamped by the clamp pieces 61b, 62b, 63b, and 64b. 103 is held clamped.

In the input device 101, an installation surface 23b and a lower surface 25b, which are lower surfaces of the operation member 102, are installed on the surface of the board of the keyboard device. At this time, the strain detection elements Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd are separated from the surface of the substrate or the like.
The effect produced by the input device 101 is the same as that of the input device 1 of the first embodiment.

1 is an exploded perspective view showing an input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; The exploded perspective view which looked at the input device of a 1st embodiment from the installation side, The half sectional view of the input device of a 1st embodiment, The disassembled perspective view which shows the input device of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, Circuit diagram of the input device,

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Input device 2 Operation | movement member 3 Flexible board 4 Cover 20 Operation | movement part 21 Operation part 22 Operation knob 23 Fixing part 23a Upper surface 23b Installation surface 25 Wall part 25a Upper surface 25b Lower surface 26 Notch part 27a 1st X direction deformation | transformation part 27b 2nd X direction deformation part 27c 1st Y direction deformation part 27d 2nd Y direction deformation part 51,52,53,54 Land 61,62,63,64 Connection terminal Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd Distortion detection element

Claims (8)

An operation member that is deformed by an operating force; and a detection element that detects deformation of the operation member;
The operation member is integrally formed with an operation part located at a central part, a fixed part located away from the operation part, and a deformation part deformable by an operation force acting on the operation part. The element is attached to the deformation part,
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the deforming portion is at a position lower than a surface on the operation side of the fixing portion, and the deforming portion is covered with a lid fixed to the surface of the fixing portion.   On the operation side surface of the operation member, a wall portion connecting the plurality of fixing portions is formed, and the lid body is fixed in close contact with the surface of the fixing portion and the surface of the wall portion. The input device according to claim 1.   3. The input according to claim 1, wherein the detection element is installed on a surface on an operation side of the deformation portion of the operation member, and the detection element is attached at a position away from the lid that covers the deformation portion. apparatus.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing portion protrudes toward the back side from the deformation portion, and a back surface of the fixing portion is an installation surface for attachment.   The input device according to claim 4, wherein a positioning projection is provided on the installation surface.   The input device according to claim 4, wherein the detection element is attached to a back surface side of the deformable portion, and the detection element is disposed at a position retracted from the installation surface.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein a connection terminal extending outside is provided in a portion other than the deformation portion of the operation member, and the detection element is connected to the connection terminal.   The input device according to claim 7, wherein a tip portion of the connection terminal is located on the same plane as a lower surface of the operation member.

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