EP2299463B1 - Dispositif d'entrée de bouton-poussoir - Google Patents

Dispositif d'entrée de bouton-poussoir Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2299463B1
EP2299463B1 EP20100176579 EP10176579A EP2299463B1 EP 2299463 B1 EP2299463 B1 EP 2299463B1 EP 20100176579 EP20100176579 EP 20100176579 EP 10176579 A EP10176579 A EP 10176579A EP 2299463 B1 EP2299463 B1 EP 2299463B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
strip
guide surface
input device
operation key
press
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP20100176579
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP2299463A3 (fr
EP2299463A2 (fr
Inventor
Yoshida Yasuhiko
Satoru Aimi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Alpine Electronics Inc
Original Assignee
Alpine Electronics Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Alpine Electronics Inc filed Critical Alpine Electronics Inc
Publication of EP2299463A2 publication Critical patent/EP2299463A2/fr
Publication of EP2299463A3 publication Critical patent/EP2299463A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2299463B1 publication Critical patent/EP2299463B1/fr
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H01H13/78—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by the contacts or the contact sites
    • H01H13/807—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by the contacts or the contact sites characterised by the spatial arrangement of the contact sites, e.g. superimposed sites
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2225/00—Switch site location
    • H01H2225/01—Different switch sites under one actuator in same plane
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2225/00—Switch site location
    • H01H2225/018—Consecutive operations
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2231/00—Applications
    • H01H2231/026—Car
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2239/00—Miscellaneous
    • H01H2239/064—Simulating the appearance of touch panel
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2239/00—Miscellaneous
    • H01H2239/074—Actuation by finger touch

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a press-to-operate input device in which a plurality of push switches allowing depressions to two levels are arranged in a line and any of the push switches is selectively operable.
  • a sensor function similar to that of a touch sensor may be realized by employing push switches according to a known technique allowing depressions to two levels of shallow and deep and by mechanically detecting whether or not any push switch is depressed to a shallow level.
  • the input device may be designed such that an operation key corresponding to any of such push switches is easily depressed to the shallow level in response to the placement of a user's finger onto that operation key. Since the user can find on which of a plurality of operation keys arranged in a line his/her finger is placed by viewing the screen of the display device, the user can correctly press the intended push switch to a deep level without carefully looking at his/her hand.
  • an inexpensive input device having a sensor function similar to that of a touch sensor can be obtained.
  • the guide is provided relatively far from the operation keys of the push switches.
  • the technique is contrived on the premise that the fingers to be placed on the guide are other than the finger used for pressing an operation key. Therefore, when the user attempts to slide his/her finger placed on the line of operation keys in a specific direction by a specific length with reference to the guide, mispositioning often occurs. Accordingly, when the user attempts to press an intended operation key during driving, for example, by sliding his/her finger with reference to the guide without looking at his/her hand, misoperation occurs with a high possibility. Another example of such an operation key is known from US 2001/003539 .
  • the operation keys need to be capable of being extremely easily depressed to the shallow level by the user. If the user who is attempting to select any of the operation keys arranged in a line needs to sequentially depress those operation keys to the shallow level, the operation becomes complicated with repetition of the depressing action to the shallow level, leading to very poor operability. To avoid this, it is desirable that shallow depression be substantially automatically performed when the user merely place his/her finger onto an operation key even if the user is not conscious of pressing the operation key, and that, if the user slides that finger along a guide, the user be able to smoothly perform successive shallow depressions on a plurality of operation keys.
  • a press-to-operate input device including a plurality of push switches arranged in a line and having a sensor function similar to that of a touch sensor, thereby realizing high operability with low cost.
  • a press-to-operate input device has a plurality of push switches allowing depressions to two levels of shallow and deep performed on operation keys included in the push switches, the operation keys being arranged in a line and exposed in an opening provided in an operation panel.
  • the device includes a strip-like guide surface provided on the operation panel and extending in a direction in which the operation keys are arranged and along one-side ends of the operation keys, the strip-like guide surface allowing a finger placed thereon to depress any of the operation keys.
  • Each of the push switches is in a shallowly depressed state when at least part of a top surface (front surface) of the one-side end of a corresponding one of the operation keys is flush with or projects relative to the strip-like guide surface, and is in a deeply depressed state when the top surface of the one-side end of the operation key is below the strip-like guide surface.
  • the press-to-operate input device configured as above, when the user places his/her finger onto a specific region of the strip-like guide surface, the one-side end of any operation key that the user's finger is touching is automatically depressed to a level about the same as the level of the strip-like guide surface. Therefore, the user can change the state of the push switch corresponding to the operation key to the shallowly depressed state without being conscious of performing a depressing action. Furthermore, when the user slides that finger in the longitudinal direction of the strip-like guide surface, the operation keys arranged in a line are sequentially depressed to the shallow level. Therefore, on which of the operation keys the user's finger is placed can be detected in a manner similar to that in a touch sensor, providing good operability.
  • a sensor function is provided with an extremely low cost, compared to a touch sensor operating on the basis of changes in capacitance.
  • the sensor function is not adversely affected, maintaining good operability.
  • each of the push switches does not become the deeply depressed state unless the corresponding operation key is depressed to a level below the strip-like guide surface. Therefore, deep depression is not realized unless the user intentionally perform a depressing action. Accordingly, there is little chance of misoperation of unintentional deep depression while the user is sliding his/her finger along the strip-like guide surface.
  • an inexpensive input device having a sensor function similar to that of a touch sensor and good operability can be provided.
  • an amount by which the at least part of the top surface of the one-side end of each operation key that is unoperated projects relative to the strip-like guide surface be at the maximum a depression depth of the operation key required for realizing the shallowly depressed state of the push switch.
  • a ridge extending in the direction in which the operation keys are arranged be provided on the operation panel and that a top surface (front surface) of the ridge form the strip-like guide surface.
  • the strip-like guide surface have a concave shape curving toward the opening, that the top surface of the one-side end of each operation key have a concave shape curving toward the strip-like guide surface, and that the top surface of the one-side end of the operation key in the shallowly depressed state substantially coincide with a concave curved plane obtained by extending the strip-like guide surface.
  • the push switches of the input device can be operated with a feeling substantially the same as that provided by push switches equipped with touch sensors.
  • the strip-like guide surface may have a tapered side-view shape inclining linearly, for example.
  • the line of the operation keys extend in a lateral direction, and that the strip-like guide surface extend linearly in the lateral direction.
  • a sensing operation similar to that of a touch sensor can be realized when the user merely slides his/her finger linearly along the strip-like guide surface. Accordingly, the input device can be easily operated by the feel.
  • the operation keys may be provided in another arrangement, for example, in an annular arrangement.
  • the push switches each include a contact rubber that is to be pressed through the corresponding operation key.
  • the push switch allowing depressions to two levels of shallow and deep can be provided with fewer components, facilitating the reduction of the component cost and the assembly cost.
  • the push switch may be a push switch not including the contact rubber.
  • a push switch allowing depressions to two levels may be configured by employing, for example, a coil spring, a leaf spring, or the like.
  • the strip-like guide surface have projections projecting relative to the top surfaces of the operation keys that are unoperated, the projections being positioned in correspondence with gaps between adjacent ones of the operation keys.
  • the user's finger is prevented from being caught by edges of the top surfaces of the operation keys.
  • the user can easily place his/her finger onto a region between the projections without looking at his/her hand carefully, the user can assuredly depress a single operation key to the shallow level with his/her finger. Accordingly, the input device provides very good operability.
  • the strip-like guide surface have round recesses between adjacent ones of the projections thereof in such a manner as to form a wavy shape in the longitudinal direction thereof.
  • the user can extremely easily place his/her finger onto any of the recesses without looking at his/her hand carefully and can smoothly slide that finger in the longitudinal direction of the strip-like guide surface. Accordingly, further improvement of operability is expected.
  • FIG. 1 to 11 A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 11 .
  • operation keys 2 corresponding to a plurality of push switches 1 are arranged in a line, and a ridge 8c is provided on a top panel (operation panel) 8a in such a manner as to extend along one-side ends 2a of the operation keys 2.
  • Figs. 4 to 10 are diagrams for describing the configuration and behavior of a single push switch 1.
  • the input device 10 is connected to a vehicle-mounted control device 40 and a display device 50.
  • the input device 10 is intended for operation of the vehicle-mounted control device 40, such as a car air conditioner or a car audio device.
  • the vehicle-mounted control device 40 such as a car air conditioner or a car audio device.
  • a control signal for performing an intended operation is output to the vehicle-mounted control device 40.
  • the input device 10 is connected to the display device 50 installed at a position easily viewable from the user. Information of on which operation key 2 a finger F of the user is currently placed, operations (functions) assigned to the individual operation keys 2, and the like are displayed on a screen of the display device 50.
  • the display device 50 is connected to the vehicle-mounted control device 40, thereby being capable of displaying on the screen thereof the control operation currently performed by the vehicle-mounted control device 40, and so forth.
  • the vehicle-mounted control device 40, the display device 50, and the input device 10 may be housed in a single casing.
  • the operation keys 2 of the respective push switches 1 included in the input device 10 are arranged in a lateral line.
  • the push switches 1 all have identical configurations.
  • the push switches 1 each include a contact rubber 3 and the operation key 2 mounted on the contact rubber 3.
  • the contact rubber 3 is a part of a molded rubber member made of light-transmissive silicone rubber or the like mounted on a substrate (printed circuit board) 7.
  • the contact rubber 3 has first and second movable contacts 4a and 4b made of a conductive carbon material and provided thereon by printing, bonding, or the like.
  • the first and second movable contacts 4a and 4b are movable toward and away from first and second fixed contacts 5a and 5b, respectively, provided on the substrate 7.
  • the fixed contacts 5a and 5b are made of a conductive carbon material.
  • the plurality of push switches 1 are housed in a casing including an upper case 8 and a lower case 9 assembled together.
  • the operation keys 2 are arranged in an opening 8b provided in the top panel (operation panel) 8a of the upper case 8 and are movable up and down (forward and backward).
  • the operation keys 2 each have the top surface (front surface) thereof projecting relative to the top panel 8a so as to be capable of being pressed.
  • the ridge 8c integrally provided on the top panel 8a of the upper case 8 extends linearly in a direction in which the operation keys 2 are lined.
  • the ridge 8c is provided along the one-side ends 2a (the left-side ends in Figs.
  • the top surface (front surface) of the ridge 8c forms a strip-like guide surface 8d on which the finger F of the user is to be placed.
  • the ridge 8c may be formed as a separate body from the upper case 8 and subsequently be bonded to the top panel 8a.
  • the operation key 2 when not operated is pressed at a flange thereof provided at the lower end thereof against an inner surface of the upper case 8 with the elastic restoring force of the contact rubber 3. Such a pretension prevents the operation key 2 from wobbling.
  • the operation key 2 is made of a light-transmissive synthetic resin and has on the top surface thereof an illuminated region (not shown) that is to be illuminated by a light-emitting diode (LED) 6 mounted on the substrate 7.
  • the LED 6 on the substrate 7 is surrounded by the first fixed contact 5a, and the first fixed contact 5a is surrounded by the second fixed contact 5b.
  • LED light-emitting diode
  • the first and second movable contacts 4a and 4b provided on the contact rubber 3 are positioned exactly above the first and second fixed contacts 5a and 5b, respectively, with clearances interposed therebetween.
  • the substrate 7 of the push switch 1 carries a first switch circuit that is turned on when the first movable contact 4a comes into contact with the first fixed contact 5a and a second switch circuit that is turned on when the second movable contact 4b comes into contact with the second fixed contact 5b.
  • the contact rubber 3 includes the following elements that are formed as an integral body: an annular base 3a provided on the substrate 7 in such a manner as to surround the second fixed contact 5b, a mover cylindrical portion 3b and a follower cylindrical portion 3c arranged concentrically, a clicking-sensation-producing wall 3d extending round and connecting the inner periphery of the mover cylindrical portion 3b and the outer periphery of the follower cylindrical portion 3c to each other, and a flexibly deformable wall 3e extending round and connecting the outer periphery of the mover cylindrical portion 3b and the base 3a to each other.
  • the base 3a supports the mover cylindrical portion 3b with the flexibly deformable wall 3e interposed therebetween.
  • the top surface of the mover cylindrical portion 3b resides at the highest end of the contact rubber 3. Accordingly, the operation key 2 is mounted on the mover cylindrical portion 3b, and a pressing load to be applied to the operation key 2 is received by the top surface of the mover cylindrical portion 3b.
  • the mover cylindrical portion 3b supports the follower cylindrical portion 3c with the clicking-sensation-producing wall 3d interposed therebetween. Therefore, when the mover cylindrical portion 3b moves downward (backward) in response to the application of a pressing load to the operation key 2, the follower cylindrical portion 3c moves downward together with the mover cylindrical portion 3b.
  • the bottom surface of the follower cylindrical portion 3c resides nearer to the substrate 7 than the bottom surface of the mover cylindrical portion 3b.
  • the first movable contact 4a is provided on the bottom surface of the follower cylindrical portion 3c by printing, bonding, or the like.
  • the bottom surface of the mover cylindrical portion 3b resides farther from the substrate 7 than the bottom surface of the follower cylindrical portion 3c.
  • the second movable contact 4b is provided on the bottom surface of the mover cylindrical portion 3b by printing, bonding, or the like.
  • the clicking-sensation-producing wall 3d has a shape of a skirt that is turned upside down, with a cross-sectional shape extending linearly and obliquely upward from the outer periphery of the follower cylindrical portion 3c to the inner periphery of the mover cylindrical portion 3b.
  • the clicking-sensation-producing wall 3d is capable of undergoing buckling deformation in response to the pressing of the operation key 2 and produces a tactile clicking sensation when buckled.
  • the flexibly deformable wall 3e is thinner than the clicking-sensation-producing wall 3d and has a cross-sectional shape continuously curving in one direction with no linear part so as to start to bend with a small pressing load.
  • the cross section of the flexibly deformable wall 3e substantially forms an arc of about 90 degrees between the top surface of the base 3a and the outer periphery of the mover cylindrical portion 3b. The flexibly deformable wall 3e bends gradually, without buckling, in response to the pressing of the operation key 2.
  • the cross-sectional shape of the flexibly deformable wall 3e is not limited to such a curved shape having no linear part, and may be, for example, a substantially curved shape including very small continuous linear parts, i.e., any shape that enables bending without buckling when the operation key 2 is pressed. Nevertheless, to prevent the occurrence of an abrupt change in the pressing load due to the cross-sectional shape of the flexibly deformable wall 3e in the entire depression range of the operation key 2 described below, the flexibly deformable wall 3e preferably has a cross-sectional shape continuously curving in one direction with no linear part, as described above.
  • the push switch 1 including the contact rubber 3 configured as above allows an operation of shallow depression in which the operation key 2 is depressed to a shallow level with a small operating force, whereby the first switch circuit is turned on, and an operation of deep depression in which the operation key 2 is depressed to a deep level with a relatively large operating force, whereby the second switch circuit is turned on.
  • Fig. 10 shows the relationship between the pressing load and the depression depth with and by which the operation key 2 is depressed.
  • the contact rubber 3 is pressed to bend when a pressing load of 0.2 N (about 20 g weight) or larger is applied to the operation key 2. This is because the operation key 2 when not operated is subjected to a pretension of about 0.2 N (about 20 g weight) applied by the contact rubber 3. The pretension prevents the operation key 2 from wobbling and from being accidentally depressed to the shallow level because of external vibration or the like.
  • the contact rubber 3 in the push switch 1 when not operated has the cross-sectional shape shown in Fig. 5 , in which the first and second movable contacts 4a and 4b are positioned exactly above the first and second fixed contacts 5a and 5b, respectively.
  • the flexibly deformable wall 3e of the contact rubber 3 first gradually starts to bend, accompanied by the lowering (backward movement) of the mover cylindrical portion 3b and the follower cylindrical portion 3c.
  • the clearance between the follower cylindrical portion 3c and the substrate 7 is very small. Therefore, when the depression depth reaches S1 (about 0.22 mm), the push switch 1 becomes the state shown in Fig. 7 , in which the lowering of the follower cylindrical portion 3c is stopped by the substrate 7, with the first movable contact 4a being in contact with the first fixed contact 5a. That is, at the depression depth S1 as small as below 0.5 mm, the first switch circuit is turned on.
  • the pressing load required for realizing the depression depth S1 is extremely small, specifically, 0.32 N (about 33 g weight). Therefore, the user can perform shallow depression of the push switch 1 by merely placing his/her finger F onto the operation key 2 without being conscious of performing such a depressing action.
  • the pressing load is rapidly reduced because the clicking-sensation-producing wall 3d undergoes elastic buckling, and the depression depth rapidly increases to S3 (about 1.63 mm), whereby a tactile clicking sensation is produced. Consequently, the lowering of the mover cylindrical portion 3b is stopped by the substrate 7 as shown in Fig. 9 , with the second movable contact 4b being in contact with the second fixed contact 5b.
  • the user can turn the second switch circuit on by applying a pressing load of 3.17 N or larger to the operation key 2 and causing the operation key 2 to be depressed by 1.6 mm or larger.
  • the values of the pressing load and the depression depth provided above are only exemplary and may be changeable appropriately, of course, in accordance with the size, weight, and so forth of the operation key 2. Nevertheless, to enable the user to perform shallow depression of the push switch 1 by merely placing the finger F onto the operation key 2 without being conscious of performing a depressing action, the depression depth S1 shown in Fig. 10 corresponding to the shallow level is preferably 0.5 mm or smaller, and the pressing load required for realizing the depression depth S1 is preferably 0.48 N (50 g weight) or smaller.
  • the level of the strip-like guide surface 8d i.e., the top surface (front surface) of the ridge 8c provided on the top panel (operation panel) 8a, is set to be the same or lower than the level of the top surface (front surface) of the one-side end 2a of the operation key 2 in a shallowly depressed state (the state where the first switch circuit is on) and to be sufficiently higher than the level of the top surface (front surface) of the one-side end 2a of the operation key 2 in a deeply depressed state (the state where the second switch circuit is on).
  • each of the operation keys 2 slightly projects upward (frontward) relative to the strip-like guide surface 8d of the ridge 8c when the operation key 2 is not operated, is flush with or is slightly depressed downward (backward) relative to the strip-like guide surface 8d when the operation key 2 is depressed to the shallow level, and is significantly depressed downward (backward) relative to the strip-like guide surface 8d when the operation key 2 is depressed to the deep level.
  • the top surface (front surface) of the one-side end 2a of the operation key 2 projects upward (frontward) relative to the strip-like guide surface 8d by a very small amount A (0.3 to 0.5 mm).
  • the depression depth S1 required for realizing shallow depression of the operation key 2 is set to be equal to or much smaller (about 0.22 mm) than the very small amount A. Therefore, referring now to Fig.
  • the push switch 1 corresponding to the operation key 2 assuredly becomes the shallowly depressed state (the state where the first switch circuit is on).
  • the pressing load required for realizing the depression depth S1 in the first embodiment is smaller than 0.48 N (50 g weight), specifically, as extremely small as 0.32 N. Therefore, only with a light touch of the user's finger F on the strip-like guide surface 8d, the operation key 2 that the tip of the finger F is touching is automatically depressed to become the state shown in Fig. 6 .
  • the user can extremely easily perform shallow depression of the operation key 2 without being conscious of such a depressing action.
  • the depression depth S3 required for realizing deep depression of the operation key 2 is set to be sufficiently larger (about 1.63 mm) than the very small amount A. Therefore, the user cannot change the state of the push switch 1 corresponding to the operation key 2 to the deeply depressed state (the state where the second switch circuit is on) unless the user deeply presses the operation key 2 with the tip of the finger F placed on the strip-like guide surface 8d.
  • Fig. 8 shows the state where the operation key 2 is depressed to the deep level with the tip of the finger F.
  • the operation key 2 may be designed such that the positional relationship between the strip-like guide surface 8d and the top surface (front surface) of the one-side end 2a also applies to the positional relationship between the strip-like guide surface 8d and the top surface of an end (the right-side end in Figs. 4 to 9 ) of the operation key 2 opposite the one-side end 2a or the entirety of the top surface of the operation key 2.
  • the level and shape of the top surface of the operation key 2 may be changed arbitrary in a region thereof that is out of reach of the tip of the user's finger F placed on the strip-like guide surface 8d.
  • any operation key 2 that is in contact with the tip of the finger F is substantially automatically depressed to the shallow level.
  • the finger F is slid along the strip-like guide surface 8d in the longitudinal direction of the strip-like guide surface 8d, a plurality of the operation keys 2 arranged in a line can be sequentially depressed to the shallow level.
  • the user can find on which operation key 2 his/her finger F is currently placed only by viewing the screen of the display device 50 installed at a position easily viewable from the user, without carefully looking at his/her hand.
  • the user can correctly select an intended operation key 2 while sliding his/her finger F along the strip-like guide surface 8d and can press the intended operation key 2 to the deep level. Consequently, a control signal for performing the operation (function) assigned to the operation key 2 that has been depressed to the deep level is output from the input device 10 to the vehicle-mounted control device 40.
  • the press-to-operate input device 10 when the user lightly presses his/her finger F onto a specific region of the strip-like guide surface 8d, the one-side end 2a of the operation key 2 that the tip of the user's finger F is touching is automatically depressed to a level about the same as the level of the strip-like guide surface 8d. Therefore, the user can extremely easily depress the operation key 2 to the shallow level without being conscious of such a depressing action. Furthermore, when the user slides the finger F along the strip-like guide surface 8d in the longitudinal direction of the strip-like guide surface 8d, the operation keys 2 arranged in a line are sequentially depressed to the shallow level.
  • the ridge 8c extending in the direction of the line of the operation keys 2 is provided on the top panel (operation panel) 8a of the upper case 8, and the top surface (front surface) of the ridge 8c forms the strip-like guide surface 8d. Therefore, the user can easily place his/her finger F onto the strip-like guide surface 8d only by the feel.
  • the line of the operation keys 2 extends in the lateral direction, and the strip-like guide surface 8d extends linearly in the lateral direction. Therefore, a sensing operation similar to that of a touch sensor can be realized when the user merely slides his/her finger F linearly along the strip-like guide surface 8d. Accordingly, the input device 10 can be easily operated by the feel, preventing the user who is driving from neglecting to look ahead.
  • the push switches 1 each include the contact rubber 3 that is to be depressed in response to the pressing of the operation key 2. Therefore, the push switch 1 allowing depressions to two levels of shallow and deep can be provided with fewer components, facilitating the reduction of the component cost and assembly cost.
  • the push switch 1 may be a push switch not including the contact rubber 3. Instead, a push switch allowing depressions to two levels may be configured by employing, for example, a coil spring, a leaf spring, or the like.
  • Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the level difference between the strip-like guide surface 8d and the operation keys 2 included in a press-to-operate input device 11 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing the positional relationship between the strip-like guide surface 8d and the operation keys 2 when the input device 11 is seen from the left side in, for example, Fig. 4 (from the bottom).
  • the strip-like guide surface 8d has a plurality of projections 8d1 having round tops.
  • the projections 8d1 are provided at positions corresponding to the positions of the gaps B between adjacent ones of the operation keys 2.
  • the level of the top of each projection 8d1 is designed so as to be higher than the level of the top surface of the operation key 2 that is not operated by about 0.3 mm and be higher than the level of the remaining regions of the strip-like guide surface 8d by about 0.5 mm.
  • the press-to-operate input device 11 provides very good operability.
  • Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the level difference between the strip-like guide surface 8d and the operation keys 2 included in a press-to-operate input device 12 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • the elements corresponding to those shown in Fig. 12 are denoted by the same reference numerals, respectively.
  • the strip-like guide surface 8d has round recesses 8d2 between the projections 8d1, thereby having a wavy shape in the longitudinal direction thereof. That is, the press-to-operate input device 12 is a variation in which substantially flat parts of the strip-like guide surface 8d in the second embodiment are changed to the recesses 8d2 that are smoothly continuous from and to the projections 8d1.
  • the user can extremely easily place his/her finger F onto any of the recesses 8d2 without looking at his/her hand carefully and can smoothly slide that finger F in the longitudinal direction of the strip-like guide surface 8d. Accordingly, further improvement of operability is expected.
  • the present invention is not necessarily have such a configuration that the entirety of the top surface (front surface) of the one-side end 2a of the operation key 2 that is not operated projects upward (frontward) relative to the strip-like guide surface 8d. That is, it is sufficient that at least part of the top surface (front surface) of the one-side end 2a of the operation key 2, preferably, a central part of the top surface of the one-side end 2a, projects upward (forward) relative to the strip-like guide surface 8d (the recess 8d2) by the very small amount A (0.3 to 0.5 mm).
  • the operation key 2 can be depressed to the shallow level in response to the user's light pressing of his/her finger F onto a specific region of the strip-like guide surface 8d.
  • Fig. 14 is a side view showing a press-to-operate input device 13 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, showing relevant parts thereof. Elements corresponding to those shown in Fig. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, respectively.
  • the operation keys 2 of the press-to-operate input device 13 shown in Fig. 14 are almost sunk in the opening 8b of the top panel (operation panel) 8a. Therefore, the ridge 8c described in the first embodiment is not provided. Instead, the strip-like guide surface 8d is provided in a region of the top panel 8a facing the opening 8b and has a concave shape curving toward the opening 8b. Furthermore, the top surfaces of the operation keys 2 each have a concave shape curving toward the strip-like guide surface 8d, As shown by double-dashed chain line in Fig. 14 , the top surface of the one-side end 2a of the operation key 2 that is not operated projects slightly upward (forward) relative to the strip-like guide surface 8d.
  • the operation keys 2 on the top panel (operation panel) 8a are provided at relatively retracted positions as in the press-to-operate input device 13, misoperation due to accidental pressing of the operation keys 2 when part of the user's body or any object comes into contact with the operation keys 2 can be avoided easily.
  • the top surface of any operation key 2 that is in the shallowly depressed state substantially coincides with the concave curved plane obtained by extending the strip-like guide surface 8d. Therefore, when the user places his/her finger F onto the strip-like guide surface 8d, the user can extremely easily perform shallow depression of the operation key 2 with the tip of that finger F.
  • the push switches 1 of the input device 13 can be operated with a feeling substantially the same as that provided by push switches equipped with touch sensors.
  • the strip-like guide surface 8d shown in Fig. 14 may have a tapered side-view shape inclining linearly toward the opening 8b.
  • the strip-like guide surface 8d of the ridge 8c shown in Figs. 1 to 9 may form a concave surface curving toward the opening 8b and the top surface of the one-side end 2a of each operation key 2 may form a concave surface curving toward the strip-like guide surface 8d of the ridge 8c, whereby the top surface of the one-side end 2a of any operation key 2 in the shallowly depressed state may be made to substantially coincides with a concave curved plane obtained by extending the strip-like guide surface 8d.
  • Fig. 15 is a top view (front view) of a press-to-operate input device 14 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Elements corresponding to those shown in Fig. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, respectively.
  • the operation keys 2 are provided in an annular arrangement, and the top surface (front surface) of the ridge 8c having an annular shape surrounding the operation keys 2 forms the strip-like guide surface 8d on which the user's finger F is to be placed.
  • the relationship between the level of the one-side end (outer periphery) 2a of each operation key 2 and the level of the strip-like guide surface 8d is the same as that in the first embodiment (see Figs. 5 to 9 ). Therefore, the user can extremely easily depress the operation keys 2 sequentially to the shallow level by sliding his/her finger F along the annular strip-like guide surface 8d. Thus, a sensing operation similar to that of a touch sensor can be realized.
  • the present invention is not limited to a vehicle-mounted input device, and may be of course applied to input devices of any other electronic apparatuses intended for home use, industrial use, and so forth.

Landscapes

  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)

Claims (9)

  1. Dispositif d'entrée par pression (10) comportant une pluralité de boutons-poussoirs (1) permettant des enfoncements à deux niveaux comprenant un niveau peu profond et un niveau profond réalisés sur une touche de fonction respective (2) comprise dans les boutons-poussoirs (1), les touches de fonction (2) étant agencées en ligne et exposées dans une ouverture (8b) prévue dans un panneau de fonction (8a), le dispositif (10) comprenant :
    une surface de guidage du type bande (8d) placée sur le panneau de fonction (8a) et s'étendant dans une direction dans laquelle les touches de fonction (2) sont disposées et le long d'extrémités d'un côté (2a) des touches de fonction (2), la surface de guidage du type bande (8d) permettant à un doigt (F) placé sur celle-ci d'enfoncer n'importe laquelle des touches de fonction (2), caractérisé en ce que chacun des boutons-poussoirs (1) est dans un état peu enfoncé quand au moins une partie d'une surface supérieure de l'extrémité d'un côté (2a) d'une touche de fonction (2) correspondante est de niveau avec ou fait saillie par rapport à la surface de guidage du type bande (8d), et est dans un étant profondément enfoncé quand la surface supérieure de l'extrémité d'un côté (2a) de la touche de fonction (2) se trouve sous la surface de guidage du type bande (8d).
  2. Dispositif d'entrée par pression (10) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la quantité avec laquelle ladite au moins une partie de la surface supérieure de l'extrémité d'un côté (2a) de chaque touche de fonction (2) qui n'est pas actionnée fait saillie par rapport à la surface de guidage du type bande (8d) est à une profondeur d'enfoncement maximale de la touche de fonction (2) nécessaire pour réaliser l'état faiblement enfoncé du bouton-poussoir (1).
  3. Dispositif d'entrée par pression (10) selon la revendication 1 ou 2, comprenant en outre :
    une arête (8c) placée sur le panneau de fonction (8a) et s'étendant dans la direction dans laquelle les touches de fonction (2) sont disposées,
    dans lequel une surface supérieure de l'arête (8c) forme la surface de guidage du type bande (8d).
  4. Dispositif d'entrée par pression (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3,
    dans lequel la surface de guidage du type bande (8d) a une surface concave courbée vers l'ouverture (8b),
    dans lequel la surface supérieure de l'extrémité d'un côté (2a) de chaque touche de fonction (2) a une forme concave courbée vers la surface de guidage du type bande (8d), et
    dans lequel la surface supérieure de l'extrémité d'un côté (2a) de la touche de fonction (2) dans l'état faiblement enfoncé coïncide substantiellement avec un plan courbé concave obtenu en étendant la surface de guidage du type bande (8d).
  5. Dispositif d'entrée par pression (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4,
    dans lequel la ligne des touches de fonction (2) s'étend dans une direction latérale, et
    dans lequel la surface de guidage du type bande (8d) s'étend linéairement dans la direction latérale.
  6. Dispositif d'entrée par pression (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, dans lequel la surface de guidage du type bande (8d) comporte des protubérances (8d1) faisant saillie par rapport aux surfaces supérieures des touches de fonction (2) qui ne sont pas actionnées, les protubérances (8d1) étant positionnées en correspondance avec des espaces (B) situés entre les touches de fonction (2) adjacentes.
  7. Dispositif d'entrée par pression (10) selon la revendication 6, dans lequel la surface de guidage du type bande (8d) comporte des évidements ronds (8d2) entre les protubérances (8d1) adjacentes de celle-ci de manière à former une forme ondulée dans une direction longitudinale de celle-ci.
  8. Dispositif d'entrée par pression (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, dans lequel les boutons-poussoirs (1) comprennent chacun un caoutchouc de contact (3) qui est destiné à être pressé par l'intermédiaire de la touche de fonction (2) correspondante.
  9. Dispositif d'entrée par pression (10) selon la revendication 8,
    dans lequel les boutons-poussoirs (1) comprennent chacun un substrat (7) pourvu d'un premier et d'un deuxième contact fixe (5a, 5b), et
    dans lequel le caoutchouc de contact (3) est pourvu d'un premier et d'un deuxième contact mobile (4a, 4b) qui sont mobiles respectivement vers et depuis les premier et deuxième contacts fixes (5a, 5b).
EP20100176579 2009-09-18 2010-09-14 Dispositif d'entrée de bouton-poussoir Not-in-force EP2299463B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2009217229A JP5345489B2 (ja) 2009-09-18 2009-09-18 押圧操作型入力装置

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2299463A2 EP2299463A2 (fr) 2011-03-23
EP2299463A3 EP2299463A3 (fr) 2012-03-28
EP2299463B1 true EP2299463B1 (fr) 2012-12-26

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ID=43242943

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20100176579 Not-in-force EP2299463B1 (fr) 2009-09-18 2010-09-14 Dispositif d'entrée de bouton-poussoir

Country Status (2)

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EP (1) EP2299463B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP5345489B2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9122895B2 (en) 2008-06-25 2015-09-01 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Authorization for transient storage devices with multiple authentication silos

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU627396B2 (en) * 1990-02-14 1992-08-20 Yazaki Corporation Two-stage rubber switch
JPH0576856U (ja) 1992-03-26 1993-10-19 日産自動車株式会社 自動車用インストルメントパネル
JP2597809Y2 (ja) * 1993-12-13 1999-07-19 株式会社東海理化電機製作所 スイッチ装置
JP3296798B2 (ja) * 1999-05-24 2002-07-02 株式会社ケンウッド 電子機器の筐体構造
KR20010054653A (ko) * 1999-12-07 2001-07-02 오길록 쌍 스위치 방식의 버튼으로 구성된 전화기 키패드 장치
JP2002025383A (ja) * 2000-07-12 2002-01-25 Toshiba Corp 制御スイッチ
JP4792683B2 (ja) * 2001-09-07 2011-10-12 株式会社デンソー 車両用操作スイッチ装置
JP2007173167A (ja) * 2005-12-26 2007-07-05 Tokai Rika Co Ltd 静電検出機能付スイッチ装置
US7834853B2 (en) * 2006-07-24 2010-11-16 Motorola, Inc. Handset keypad

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2299463A3 (fr) 2012-03-28
JP2011065938A (ja) 2011-03-31
JP5345489B2 (ja) 2013-11-20
EP2299463A2 (fr) 2011-03-23

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